Government is allowing the testing exercise to evaluate blast conditions as part of its investigation.
Exactly two weeks ago today, the ministry issued a ‘cease and desist’ order for the limestone mining operation facility in Freeport to stop blasting work, while The Bahamas Government launched an investigation.
The order was issued because of the disturbance and annoyance to the company’s residential neighbours regarding the recent underground blasting.
Bahama Rock held an open house a couple of days earlier for the residents, to explain the project.
Eight Mile Rock residents had concerns over the blasting and its effects to their homes for some time and dreaded that there were long-term consequences. The blasts shook their homes and felt like tre-mours.
A week after the order, Energy and Environment Minister Dr. Marcus Bethel held a public town meeting in the Bartlett Hill Primary School to keep the residents abreast of the situation.
As for the test blasting, the Ministry of Energy and the Environment, via a release yesterday, revealed that Bahama Rock will give due notification of test blast dates and times to the residents and public.
And, test blasting will take place at distances, sufficient as to minimize transboundary emissions of blast energy.
In its initial report, also disclosed in the release yesterday, the ministry says audits of homes in the affected areas ﾖ mainly the Harbour West Subdivision ﾖ will be performed to ascertain how the blasting operations were, or might, affect the safety and well-being of residents of the proximal communities.
“And, to seek to establish if there is a way forward, where Bahama Rock work did not unduly conflict with the well-being of residents of the proximal communities, and caused no significant, sustained, adverse impact to the environment,” said the release.
Officers of the Department of Environmental Health Services have met with Bahama Rock staff, contractors, consultants and Martin Marietta staff.
“Reviews have included blast records, available geotechnical records of the areas blasted, and a review of company monitoring records,” according to the Ministry of Energy and the Environment.
Environmental Health officials have also visited those homes in Harbour West Subdivision, Bartlett Hill, and elsewhere in Eight Mile Rock that were reported to have been affected and performed inspections.
These homes, the releases noted, showed a diversity of levels of building constructions, older buildings, and multi-storey buildings.
A preliminary report has been produced and reviewed with Bahama Rock and the Grand Bahama Port Authority and recommendations were made for the way forward.
During the month-long test blasting period, the Blasting/Demolition Consultant for The Bahamas Government will attend the Bahama Rock site and review the methods and procedures being used.
Officers of the Department of Environ-mental Health Services will also monitor, the transboundary effects of the blasts and attend selected homes for effects in the residential community.
A structural engineer for the government is also expected to audit homes for signs of structural stress or damages and the Government hydrogeologist will initiate studies to assess for any adverse environmental effects.
A progress report is expected to be presented to Minister Bethel within two weeks and a final report on the blasting to be produced after the month of test blasting.
By LEDEDRA MARCHE, Senior Freeport News Reporter
