New Sand Mining Permits Frozen as North Stann Creek River Faces Mounting Threats

The North Stann Creek River is the lifeline of the Stann Creek Valley. It winds down from the Hummingbird Hills, supplying drinking water to almost twenty‑thousand residents and supporting farmers, fishers, and everyday families who depend on what many proudly call “sweet, sweet wata.” But years of sand and gravel extraction have put this essential river under growing pressure. Residents have repeatedly raised alarms about pollution, mass erosion, habitat destruction, and even increased flooding tied to these operations. So now, the government is hitting the brakes. After reviewing the state of mining along the river, Cabinet says it’s time for caution. They have decided not to issue any new permits for sand and gravel extraction along the North Stann Creek River in 2026, opting instead for a more measured, science‑based approach. And that means the next few months will be crucial. In the second quarter of 2026, technical teams will head back into the river system to reassess existing sandbars, checking which, if any, remain suitable for extraction, and determining strict limits on how much material can be safely removed. In short, instead of green‑lighting more digging, the government is acknowledging what valley communities have been saying for years: the North Stann Creek River is too important to gamble with.