A public hearing Thursday afternoon at Yarrowkabra on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to determine whether a proposed sand mine project by BK International will affect the operations of Bulkan’s Timber Works and whether there is need for an Environmental Impact Assessment prior to giving the green light ended abruptly at the Yarrowkabra Health Centre amidst heated exchanges among workers of the two companies and residents.

The public consultation was attended by officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment;the Environmental Assessment Board; BK International Inc.;  Bulkan’s Timber Works;  and staff of the two companies, as well as residents and executives of the Coal Mining Association.
This consultation was opened by Chairman of the Environmental Assessment Board, Mr. Veetal Rajkumar, who outlined the objective of the public hearing  and sought everyone’s  cooperation.
He indicated that the board would consider  all the concerns expressed and within a period of seven days a final decision would be announced.
BK International Inc. commenced their presentation and Public Relations Specialist Mr. Kit Nascimento outlined BK International’s position on the project and sought a detailed explanation from his company’s environmental officer, Ms. Jonelle Williams.
Ms. Williams in her presentation outlined the description, permission, project environment, vegetation type, land occupancy and the project operations. She also detailed the possible impacts of the project as she concluded her presentation
And Mr. George Bulkan in his presentation commenced with  a brief history of his business operation in the Yarrowkabra area  and highlighted the number of jobs he had created for the residents.
He gave  details of his decision to appeal the approval of the EPA to BK International Inc. commencing a sand mine project in the vicinity close to his operation, citing a number of reasons.
Mr. Charles Ceres, Managing Director of Ground Structural Engineering, then  cited technical concerns over the project. He noted a number of issues that should be taken into concern and asked the EPA and EAB to immediately explore this.
The chairman of the EAB Mr. Rakjumar noted his concerns and mentioned that all these issues will be considered by the board.
In response allowing Nascimento to deliberate on the reasons mentioned, he noted that these requirements must be across the board and applicable to all sand mine operators.
At this time a heated exchange of words came from residents and workers of the two companies involved while the chairman sought to have order restored to the consultation.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Tshanna Redman, Environmental Monitoring Officer, presented  information  on the project according to her agency’s requirements and outlined reasons why an Environmental Impact Assessment was not required.
She noted that in accordance with  the Environmental Act, all requirements had been met.
Mr. Lloyd Wilson, former Chairman of the Community Development Council(CDC), expressed thanks to the residents for attending the public consultation. He also noted his concerns over the availability of jobs if  Bulkan’s operations should end if  BK International  sand mine works damage their equipment.
He also expressed concern for the Coal Miners Association, a small business. The Guyana Lands & Surveys Department had issued a letter instructing the association to cease operations in the area where they are now located.
This, he noted, was of great concern to these operators since no proper consultation was done with the stakeholders of Yarrowkabra.
He said further that such “bullish attitude” would not be allowed to continue against the residents and proper notification must be given.
Mrs. Richlyn Profitt, Chairman of the Yarrowkabra Community Development Council, told the gathering that the Coal Association was formed in 2009 after operating for over 10 years without organised procedures.  They got themselves regulated and began operating as an association, producing thousands of bags of coal for local and international markets.
She noted that the association got permission from the Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission to operate the land on a lease but  was issued a letter dated 2nd February 2013 to cease operations by this agency.
She noted that no consultation by any of these respective agencies with the association of the residents and community development council was done to see what implications and effects on the community these decisions would have.
Yarrowkabra resident Derrick Boyce made a presentation in which he recommended that a  representative team of the residents should meet with the other parties involved in order to resolve this matter, since a number of residents would be at risk in many ways through the sand mine project.
The EAB is expected to produce a report on the findings of all these submissions within seven days.