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Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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CSI papers 1
Sand Mining in the British Virgin Islands - a Second Look
Bertrand Lettsome,
Conservation and Fisheries Department,
Louis Potter,
Town and Country Planning Department,
British Virgin Islands
Abstract
This paper discusses the history of sand mining in the British Virgin Islands. Between 1982 and 1996, 13 624 cubic yards of sand were legally mined from the beaches. Josiah's Bay and Fat Hogs Bay were the most heavily mined beaches, the latter beach was almost completely mined out. The Beach Protection Ordinance of 1985 has been used, somewhat unsuccessfully, to control beach sand mining. It is suggested that the Mining Act of 1980, which controls the commercial mining of minerals and specifically addresses restoration and the charging of royalties, would be a better mechanism for controlling sand mining. The paper further suggests that there are adequate sand supplies in the coastal valleys behind the beaches which could supply building aggregate long into the future.
