Why is Andros special
Largest Fresh Water Source in Bahamas
Andros has the Bahamas only freshwater river, contributing to its biodiversity. Thousands of kilometers of underground water from rainwater collect in aquifers below the island’s surface. The freshwater lens on Andros Island, Bahamas, is an important source of potable water for local use and for export to the city of Nassau on New Providence Island.
Most Blue Holes Per Square Mile
Andros has a vast number of ocean and inland blue holes, the highest concentration and largest variety of any solid landmass in the world. They are home to unique cave fish and invertebrates, some not found anywhere else.
3-rd Largest Barrier Reef
The reef is 190 miles long, drops to about eight feet on the island side and plunges to more than 6,000 feet in the Tongue of the Ocean. It is unique in the region because of its size, lush coral growth, and minimal coral disease.
Largest Area of Saltwater Flats
Andros Island is surrounded by thousands of square kilometers of fishable flats, home to permit, tarpon, and especially bonefish. The island is known as the bonefish capital of the world.
Largest Pine Forest in the Bahamas
Largest Coppice Forest in the Bahamas
Largest Concentration of Red, Black, and White Mangroves in the Bahamas
Largest Mangrove Nursery in the Bahamas
wHAT ARE THE RISKS OF MINING
Contaminating the Fresh Water Lens
When you dig a pit into the earth, you breach the freshwater lens. In order to access the limestone, you must pump out the freshwater which causes a cone of depression. The pit goes down past the freshwater lens into the saltwater which could cause saltwater intrusion, this then could spread through the aquifers, cave system, and the limestone. If you put the pit in one end of the island it could spread throughout the entire island and beyond the island into the mangroves, tidal swamplands, and coral reefs.
Changes to Landscape
The huge pit will interrupt the flow of the freshwater lens, tearing down the coastal pines removes protection from hurricane winds and rising sea levels.
Sink Holes
Thinning of the freshwater lens and lowering of the water table creates gaps in the limestones which creates opportunities for sink holes to form.
Dust
Created from blasting goes into the air and has health affects in surrounding communities such as, asthma, respiratory illness, and breathing problems are persistent. The dust that goes up must settle which could affect agriculture industries and drift out into the ocean and create issues with coral growing, fish die off, and issues with nurseries.
Increased flooding
When the fresh water is pumped out it is moved down stream which could cause severe flooding
Emissions Pollution
Created by machines, haul trucks, and added shipping transportations
Noise
Communities near the mine and wildlife, continuous background noise affects circadian rhythm
Sexual violence
A lot of times there is an influx of male workers which can lead to victimization and trafficking of young girls
What IS THE MINING PROCESS
Removal of “overburden”- soil, rock, and wildlife in desired area of mining to expose the rock.
Breaking up the bedrock- drilling and blasting to break up the limestone for extraction
Hauling aggregate- draglines, conveyors, and trucks are used to haul the limestone to a crusher.
Crushing and Sorting- The limestone is then ranthrough crushers, grinders, and vibrating screens to create rock, gravel, sand, and dust.
Export- aggregate is hauled away from the mining site by trucks and conveyors and shipped out.
