Kalinago Chief Annette Sanford demands the immediate cessation of mining activities at Deux Branches, warning that continued operations will damage the local community & she is standing for survival

Kalinago Chief Annette Sanford has issued a direct demand for the immediate cessation of mining activities at Deux Branches, warning that continued operations will severely damage the local community. 

The Kalinago Council formally requested a stop to the project as early as October, voicing deep concerns over the environmental risks posed to their ancestral lands. 

The Chief and community activists have raised significant concerns regarding the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the quarrying project at Deux Branches, which is linked to the construction of Dominica’s international airport. To protect these vital resources, the Council has maintained a consistent stance against the project in all official consultations. 

The Chief confirmed that she has directly informed both the Minister for Environment and the Prime Minister of the community's total opposition to the mining. During these high-level meetings, the Council underscored the indigenous population's essential role in preserving Dominica’s forests and rivers.