More delays in Windalco 2019 Rio Cobre fish kill case

The case against bauxite mining company Windalco regarding a 2019 fish kill in the Rio Cobre in St Catherine continues to face delays.

The trial did not get to start in the St Catherine Parish Court on Thursday because the defence told the court that there is a matter that must be addressed and asked for another adjournment.

The judge pushed back the case to November 1.

Noting the delays, it was decided that November would be the final trial date in the matter.

Allegations before the court are that in 2019 effluent allegedly from Windalco escaped into the Rio Cobre causing a massive fish kill and damage to other aquatic organisms.

Residents of Kent Village and surrounding areas were reportedly affected adversely by the discharge of the raw effluent into the river.

The National Environment and Planning Agency conducted an investigation and subsequently served an enforcement notice on the company.

It was later summoned to court for breaches of the Wildlife Protection Act.

- Rasbert Turner

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