Opposition wants priority access for Bahamians in mining industry

The Opposition criticized the recently tabled Mining Bill, 2023 and said that Bahamians must be given priority access to the contracts and training programs related to mining.

Kwasi Thompson, shadow minister for finance, said during his contribution to the debate on the Mining Bill, 2023 in the House of Assembly: “It is my belief that any company that is granted a license must at least have majority Bahamian ownership and participation.

“In addition, Bahamians must be given priority access to contracts, training programs, and equity participation in mining ventures... Where are the enforceable obligations? Where is the plan to build local capacity in geology, mineral engineering, and environmental monitoring? If the government is serious, it must fund technical training partnerships with UB [University of The Bahamas], establish start-up grants for local mining service providers, and mandate Bahamian subcontracting at every project level.”

The government tabled the Mining Bill, 2023 in Parliament on Wednesday. Prime Minister Philip Davis, in his contribution to the debate, said

the bill prevents exploitative mining in the country, adding that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that developments in this area benefits Bahamians.

Thompson said the opposition wants mandates for mining companies to invest in vocational training programs, and offer scholarships to Bahamians to study in mining-related fields.

“The bill does not explicitly address the transfer of technology and mining expertise from foreign companies to local Bahamian entities or individuals. Provisions could be included to encourage or mandate partnerships, joint ventures, or knowledge-sharing initiatives to build local capacity in more technical and specialized aspects of mining.”

He added: “Given that the Bahamas Mining Bill could and should significantly affect existing mining operations, there is a clear need for the bill to include a defined pathway and timeline for these operations to transition to the new regulatory framework.

“Without such clarity, existing companies face uncertainty regarding compliance with potentially stricter environmental protections, increased government oversight and royalties, and enhanced worker rights and safety regulations.

“A well-defined pathway would outline the specific steps existing operations must take to align with the new requirements, potentially including timelines for environmental impact reassessments, adjustments to royalty payments, and implementation of new safety protocols.”

Davis also said: “Any mining enterprise must also demonstrate how local plant and animal life will be preserved. To preserve our supply of fresh water, they must provide information on the impact on the surrounding bodies of water and on the water table. They must also show how surrounding land will be affected, and outline the risk of pollution to the local environment.

“These criteria must be met before any kind of right or license is granted.

“Any eligible Bahamian citizen or legal entity must also go through a lengthy and comprehensive application process, to demonstrate their capacity and intention to satisfy strict standards.

“Any mineral rights granted can also be suspended or cancelled due to any relevant breaches of the agreement and conditions or violations of this law.

“This bill will introduce a mining cadastre register, so that Bahamians can see for themselves who is applying for mineral rights and mining licenses, who has received rights and licenses, and the relevant details of who, what, where, when and how these activities shall be conducted.”