PRESS RELEASE
ROSEAU, DOMINICA, DECEMBER 8, 2025-The United Progressive Party (UPP) stands in solidarity with the people of the Kalinago Territory, Concord, Marigot, and Dominica by extension in expressing grave concern over the mining operations currently underway in Deux Branches, in the Parish of St Andrew in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
This development poses serious risks to public health and safety for those who rely on the river for recreation, livelihood, and sustenance. It violates the Kalinago community’s right to free, prior, and informed consent and raises serious concerns regarding legality and due process.
The UPP is urging an immediate halt to all mining operations in Deux Branches until proper procedures are followed and adequate environmental safeguards are put in place.
The people of Dominica have made their voices clear. More than 3,000 individuals have signed an international petition calling for the suspension of the Deux Branches mining operation, reflecting widespread concern about its environmental and social impacts.
We urge the Government of Dominica to halt actions that threaten our natural heritage until proper consultation, environmental impact assessments, and the informed consent of affected communities are secured.
The UPP emphasizes that the Mining operation poses significant risks to the local environment, including:
– Irreversible damage to natural habitats and biodiversity.
– Soil erosion and land degradation.
– Contamination of water sources and disruption of natural drainage systems.
– Air pollution from dust and particulate matter affects nearby communities.
– Loss of agricultural land and threat to food security.
– Destruction of the scenic beauty that defines our island’s identity and tourism appeal.
– Decline in river volume, velocity, and clarity.
– Sedimentation, siltation, and increased risk of landslides.
– Aquatic destruction and adverse marine impact, to name a few.
Dominica has long been celebrated as the Nature Island of the Caribbean. This reputation is more than a marketing label. It is a responsibility to current and future generations. Any development that threatens the environment must be subject to rigorous scrutiny through proper environmental impact assessments conducted by independent experts.
The UPP is particularly concerned that this project appears to have disregarded established laws, regulatory frameworks, and international conventions designed to protect our island’s ecological integrity.
Environmental impact assessments exist for good reason – they provide critical information about potential harm, allow for public input, and ensure that development proceeds in a sustainable manner.
The party is calling on the Government of Dominica to:
1. Immediately suspend all mining and quarrying operations in Deux Branches pending proper environmental review.
2. Commission a comprehensive and independent Environmental Impact Assessment.
3. Conduct meaningful public consultations with affected communities and stakeholders, including all of Dominica.
4. Ensure full transparency regarding the project’s purpose, scope, and the parties involved.
5. Provide a clear timeline for the decision-making process that includes opportunities for public participation.
The people of Dominica deserve better than backroom deals and environmental destruction. They deserve a government that listens, respects due process, and places the long-term well-being of our nation above short-term gains.
The UPP calls upon all Dominicans who value our natural environment to make their voices heard. This is not a partisan issue – this is about the future of our island, the quality of life for our communities, and the world we leave for our children.
We must not sacrifice our environmental legacy on the altar of expediency. Let us work together to ensure that any development in Dominica is sustainable, properly vetted, and genuinely serves the interests of all our people.
The United Progressive Party is committed to responsible governance, environmental protection, democratic participation, and sustainable development that respect communities and future generations.