Vulcan Reps Coming to Belize; No Mining Permits Issued

Cordel Hyde

Reports are that representatives from the aggregate mining company Vulcan Limited, which has been operating in Belize under Caracol Holdings Limited, will be visiting the country next month – particularly the private property of White Ridge Farms off the Coastal Road near Gales Point Manatee. The company, back in 2019, obtained a three-year exploration license to test for limestone on the property using geological mappings, but they weren’t issued a mining permit, so they cannot extract minerals from the area.  Residents of Gales Point Manatee have been expressing concerns about the mining plans of the foreign company. Fast track to today, and Vulcan reps are purportedly planning to commence operations, Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde was asked about it. He maintains that no mining permits have been issued to Vulcan Minerals Company.

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources

“The residents from Gales Point Manatee have made it absolutely clear to the government that they don’t want that kind of activity in their neck of the woods, absolutely clear for the longest time. At least I can remember since we’ve been in government and I imagine it is even from before that they have been clamouring and making that statement. And if we are a government that is of the people, by the people for the people then we have to listen to our people. So that’s a no-go for us really.”

Reporter

“But they bought the land. So how do you stop them?”

Cordel Hyde

“Well they didn’t get any commitment from us before buying the land. That is a private sector arm’s length deal, I would imagine. They didn’t buy the land of the condition that they would get a license to mine. We didn’t give any such commitment, at least I didn’t.”

Reporter

“So you are saying that at this point they are in the country to try and set up an operation, but the government simply is not going to approve it?”

Cordel Hyde

“No, we are not having that, sir.”