Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, the Hon. Vaughn Miller along with other officials of that ministry visited a site in southwestern New Providence where illegal coal mining is allegedly taking place.

Miller mentioned areas like Excellence Estates I and II, Elegance Estates, Golden Meadows, Southern Breezes and other surrounding communities where the smoke from the illegal coal operation is affecting residence.

Department of Environmental Health Service Director, Launa Williams was also part of the delegation.  She said, “when we were coming in and we came to this site, this is an active site.  There is smoke that is dissipating from the kill which means that someone here is doing coal mining.”

Acting Forestry Director Danielle Hanek spoke about the environmental concerns. “The challenges that we face are logistics and also but legal wise in terms of laws and rights and access to lands etc. And so we do have the legislation that speaks to this.”

Residents in the area are asked to report any suspicious activity to police.