Find Mining expertise in Dominica

Mining and quarrying is undergoing growth as construction has also experienced a boom. Major minerals include pumice, clay, limestone, volcanic ash, sand and gravel. The government has granted various benefits to this sector, for example, ore refineries and foundries are exempt from the payment of royalties, which may be deducted from the tax owed on the profits earned during the fiscal year.

Pumice, clay, limestone, volcanic ash, sand and gravel are quarried, with output increasing over the last few years to cater for a construction boom. Dominica also exports small amounts of sand, gravel and crushed stone to neighbouring countries, including Guadeloupe and the Virgin Islands.

There are nine quarries in operation in Dominica at the moment, including a 44-acre site at La Falaise owned by Carib Sand and Stone.

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning and Fisheries is in change of the sector. The Physical Planning Act 2002, Mines and Minerals Act 1996 and the Environmental Health Act 1997 govern quarrying, with permits available from the Physical Development and Planning Authority. The Physical Planning Division is responsible for monitoring quarry operations, with sites receiving visits from inspectors every three to four months.

Due to the increasingly important role played by tourism, the government has grown concerned about mining’s impact on the environment, and has drafted a Quarry Code of Practice that is proposed to become the legal mechanism to drive environmental performance and compliance within the industry.