mining rights property conflict Jamaica

Landowners in Jamaica’s bauxite-rich parishes have found that surface ownership does not guarantee control of what lies beneath. The Mining Act vests mineral rights in the Crown, and mining licences can be granted over privately owned land without the surface owner’s consent. This report examines the legal framework, compensation rights, and conflicts that arise between mining operations and property owners.

The Land Acquisition Act empowers the Jamaican government to compulsorily acquire private land for public purposes, but landowners are entitled to prompt and adequate compensation. Disputes over the adequacy of compensation, delays in payment, and the proper identification of affected parties have generated significant litigation and financial hardship for landowners caught in the compulsory acquisition process.