Manchester - what prospects now, and after bauxite?

Anthony R.D.Porter, GUEST COLUMNIST

In a previous article, 'Shifting truth on bauxite' (Sunday Gleaner, November 27, 2011), mention was made of some of the positives that flowed from the bauxite-alumina industry. But that was when bauxite was king, and now that it is seemingly on the decline, many persons are asking what the future holds for Manchester. To understand more clearly what possible prospects exist, let us look at the parish in more detail.

More than 95 per cent of the parish is composed of white limestone (shaded yellow), with the small remainder consisting of: alluvium (depicted in white); impure limestone (known as the yellow limestone group shaded in orange); and older volcanic and sedimentary rocks of Cretaceous age (coloured green). The bold black lines represent geological faults, two major ones of which are the Spur Tree and Sixteen Mile faults; their significance is beyond the scope of this article.

Except for a few topographically depressed valleys, the parish is a prominently elevated, moderately karstified limestone plateau, on the surface of which are numerous pocket-like to blanket-like deposits of brick-red to yellow brown bauxite. Apart from One Eye River (Oxford Valley), Hectors River (which forms the parish boundary in the north), the upper part of the Milk River (southeast of Porus), and a few short streams along the southern coastline, drainage is otherwise underground.

Commercial considerations

1) Bauxite

In 1952, mining of bauxite, the principal commercial source of aluminium metal, commenced, and was converted into a white, fine-grained product known as alumina, at a small pilot plant, called Kirkvine, that had been constructed by Alcan just east of Kendal. Between then and 1968, the refinery underwent a series of expansions, and it continued to produce world-class alumina up until 2009 when it was closed by the new owners, RUSAL, because of a downturn in the industry caused by a global recession.

Up to that time, Special Mining Leases (called SMLs) to mine bauxite in different parts of the parish were held by three companies, namely Alpart, Jamalco and Windalco. Additionally, the rights to explore (but not mine) two other sections of the parish had been granted to Jamalco and Alpart. As a consequence, approximately 75 per cent of the parish is under licence by these three organisations to explore and/or mine bauxite.

Within these lease areas, however, large tracts of land have already been mined-out, rehabilitated and either converted to, or earmarked for, productive use, such as: subdivisions for housing; commercial buildings; community playing fields; roads; agricultural purposes (cash crops, cattle grazing, tenant farming, fruit trees, etc.) or for other proposed ventures, such as an airport not far from Mandeville.

What is not known to most residents of the parish, however, is how long bauxite mining is expected to last and in what areas. In the absence of this knowledge, it is difficult for the Manchester Parish Development Committee and other interest groups to prepare an adequate and sustainable plan.

2) Limestone

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed chiefly of the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate). It is Jamaica's most important naturally occurring building stone, as well as the source of crushed stone or aggregate (used in road construction; buildings and railroad ballast), and when calcined (burnt) it is a source of lime (calcium oxide) and hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide).

Because limestone is slowly dissolved by carbonic acid (present in rainwater), over long periods of geologic time, a maze of sinkholes, vertical shafts, caves and underground passages have developed. Rainwater disappears underground very quickly, and this is the reason that Manchester is not blessed with any major surface streams. In addition, the vertical thickness of limestone exceeds 2,000 feet (625 metres) in parts of the parish, which means that the natural water table lies several hundred feet below surface, making it quite expensive to drill wells for a domestic water supply.

On the other hand, the limestone reserves of the parish are huge - in billions of tons - but its physical and chemical properties are quite variable, so careful research should be undertaken before undertaking any large-scale commercial venture. Its rich fossil content could and should form part of a museum display.

3) Agriculture

Because of the absence of large tracts of flat lands, such as the plains of Clarendon, there is an absence of large-scale plantations, such as sugar cane and bananas. But both will thrive on the rich, fertile bauxite soil, as does coffee, pimento, citrus (especially ortaniques - a cross between orange and tangerine developed in Manchester in 1920), avocados, breadfruit, ackee, starapple and other fruit trees.

Many a stone barbecue for drying pimento and/or coffee - are still to be seen at several places, with one of the finest examples being at Grove Place Farm, about three miles northwest of Kirkvine on the road to Mile Gully.

In the early 1950s when Alcan began mining bauxite, it set up an agricultural division to protect the bauxite-bearing lands that it had acquired until ready for mining, and to carry out research on its pre- and post-mining land-utilisation activities.

At the time, the law required that on completion of mining, all pits be restored and not less than six inches of topsoil be replaced on the reclaimed surface. Alcan's research found this to be too thin and raised the level to 12 inches. Many rehabilitated pits were planted in grass to support the company's highly acclaimed dairy operation, while others were leased to tenant farmers, many of whom benefited from short-term cash crops.

With many of the larger landholdings being mined out and the lands subdivided for housing needs, it is obvious that the days of large-scale, plantation-style agricultural cultivations are gone. But what has happened in Manchester is no different to what is taking place in St Catherine and Clarendon, where large tracts of prime agricultural land, once planted in sugar cane and other export crops, are now dotted with housing schemes.

Yet, all is not lost, as organic farming and greenhouse technology (such as employed at the community of Maidstone, located north of Huntley) provide options for those interested in investing in sustainable agriculture.

4) Tourism

Before the advent of bauxite mining, the beneficial effects of Mandeville's cool, Continued from f13

healthy and salubrious climate had long been cherished and valued by holidaymakers, British retirees and visitors alike. Some settled permanently, while others vacationed at one of several hotels then in existence. Today, the Mandeville Hotel is the only survivor of the original hotels. It is said to have been a barrack originally.

Recreational activities back then were golf, tennis and squash at the old historic Manchester Club (the site of which in now occupied by the Bank of Nova Scotia), which apparently boasted of having the first golf course in the Caribbean. Horseback riding and bird-watching were two other activities. With proper development, planning and marketing some of these could be restored to their former glory.

Since the 1980s, additional attractions have come on stream, including tours to the High Mountain Coffee Factory and Pioneer Chocolate Factory at Williamsfield. Unfortunately, the cheese factory at Maidstone has ceased operations, but another possibility when it reopens is the alumina refinery operations at Kirkvine.

Before it was discontinued, the railway service between Kingston and Montego Bay brought many persons to the parish. And, this means of transporting tourists could have been a significant contributor to the coffers, but sadly that was not to be. Will the service ever be restored? To Kingston possibly, but to Montego Bay will be an expensive undertaking, as much of the rail line will have to be replaced.

Also contributing to the tourism package were Diana McIntyre-Pike and the late Desmond Henry, who conceptualised what they called 'country-style community tourism', which sought to introduce visitors to communities in central and southern parts of the parish.

Elsewhere in the parish, there are caves, sinkholes and underground passages that can be included in the tourism product. While at the southern end of the parish - extending from Alligator Pond eastwards to Milk River and Round Hill, in Clarendon - is a partially protected heritage area known as Canoe Valley.

This region was home to the Tainos for many centuries. Its combined richness in archaeology, ecology and geology makes it one of the most unique, yet fragile, environments in Jamaica. It should become a heritage park, adequately protected and developed with ecotourists and nature lovers in mind.

5) Wind power

The absence of major rivers within the parish means that there is no readily available surface water supply, no source of natural sand, gravel and stones for construction purposes, and - with the possible exception of One Eye River - no hydropower. But along the Spur Tree escarpment, wind energy is strong and dependable, as a consequence of which large wind turbines were erected at Wigton which generate power for the national grid. With the dependency of the country on oil for generating electricity, expanding this facility could bring positive economic benefits to the parish and the country.

6) Residential/ Retirement Haven

Manchester's clean, cool and invigorating mountain air offers a healthy environment in which to live. Coupled with Highway 2000, a partially completed toll road that eventually will run from Williamsfield to Kingston, one should expect to see a greater influx of persons wanting to reside in the parish. This, in turn, will result in an increased need for various skills, more goods and service, and greater spending. It could also lead to the construction of a world-class convalescent home.

As noted previously, one of the parishes greatest negatives is its lack of a reliable domestic water supply. As a consequence, it is necessary for every household, school and commercial building to install water-storage drums or tanks.

Readers will, no doubt, think of other possible commercial prospects that may contribute to the development of the parish in the years to come when the bauxite industry is no longer the driving force it once was.

Anthony Porter is a veteran exploration geologist, formerly with Alcan, and the author of many published works on various aspects of bauxite and Jamaican geology. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.