Illegal quarrying on the rise

Jamaicans are being urged to confirm that anyone selling minerals such as sand, gravel, or limestone holds a valid quarry or mining licence with the Mines and Geology Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining before conducting any transactions.

The ministry warns that failure to do so could result in inadvertently participating in criminal activity.

"Citizens are directed to verify holders of quarry and mining licences with the ministry's Mines and Geology Division before conducting any transactions," the ministry said in a media release yesterday.

Under Jamaican law, it is a criminal offence not only to extract minerals illegally but also to purchase, transport, or stockpile materials obtained through illicit means. Individuals or businesses found engaging in, or benefiting from, such activities face severe penalties, including fines of up to $1 million and potential imprisonment.

The ministry says it has observed a rise in illegal quarrying, a practice that poses serious threats to the environment, public safety, and the national economy. Unregulated extraction destroys ecosystems, destabilises riverbanks, disrupts natural water flows, and prevents land from recovering naturally. Contaminated run-off and dust emissions further harm water quality and air conditions, while cleared vegetation and stripped soil accelerate carbon emissions and erode biodiversity.

Communities located near illegal quarry sites are directly affected, facing increased flooding, damage to critical infrastructure, and serious health risks.

The degradation of land and waterways displaces traditional livelihoods such as farming and fishing. In many cases, illegal quarrying operations are linked to organised crime, adding another layer of danger and instability to affected areas.