The UC Rusal alumina train that derailed along the Bog Walk Gorge in St Catherine earlier this month has now been removed, with Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) confirming minimal environmental damage. The incident, which saw three hopper cars tumble off an embankment into the gorge, raised immediate concerns because of its proximity to the Rio Cobre, an essential water source for local communities and agriculture.
NEPA’s assessment and cleanup oversight
NEPA reported that the alumina spillage was confined to the base of the embankment. It posed no toxic threat and did not affect water quality. Drone inspections and on-site checks confirmed there was no oil leakage, no fish kill, and no observable impact on aquatic life. The cleanup was carried out under NEPA’s close supervision, and we are satisfied that the natural environment has been protected throughout the process, the agency commented in its latest statement.
Under NEPA’s monitoring, UC Rusal led the cleanup, fully removing the derailed railcars. The agency emphasised that long-term oversight will continue to ensure no delayed effects surface in the Rio Cobre ecosystem.