Government Blocks New Sand and Gravel Digging Sites on North Stann Creek River

The government has decided not to issue permits for “any newly proposed extraction sites” of sand and gravel along the North Stann Creek River for 2026.

Cabinet says the decision comes after reviewing the current state of mining in the area and concluding that a more cautious approach is needed.

Residents of Dangriga Town, who depend on the river for daily use, have raised concerns in previous years about pollution in the waters flowing downstream. Many describe the activity as destructive to the river, damaging aquatic habitats, causing mass erosion, and directly impacting farmers through flooding.

Instead of issuing new permits, officials plan a technical reassessment in the second quarter of 2026. That study will look at existing sandbars to determine whether they are suitable for extraction and to set clear limits on how much material can be removed.