As the elected parliamentary representative for Marigot, Anthony Charles has publicly solidified his stance on one of the region’s most contentious development issues: throwing his full support behind continued mining operations at the Deux Branches site. In a detailed written statement addressing public and stakeholder concerns, Charles framed the project as an essential driver of national progress that upholds both community land rights and responsible environmental stewardship.
Charles emphasized that Marigot constituents have a long-standing commitment to balanced, inclusive progress that never sacrifices citizen rights for economic growth. He pointed to the constituency’s earlier approval of mining operations at Crapaud Hall (also referenced as Craupo Haul in the full statement) as a clear example of this balanced approach. That earlier project, he noted, moved forward only after securing full consent from local landowners, who received fair compensation for the use of their property. The successful completion of aggregate extraction at Crapaud Hall, he explained, has cleared the way for the next critical phase of the nation’s flagship infrastructure project: sourcing the large volume of stone needed to build the country’s new international airport.
Acknowledging widespread public concern over the potential environmental impact of expanding mining to Deux Branches, Charles stressed that robust mitigation strategies are already baked into the project’s official plan. He said these targeted measures are designed to minimize any negative ecological effects of the extraction work, aligning the project with commitments to sustainable resource management.
In a firm, clear assertion of his position as the community’s elected official, Charles stated: “Let me be clear on my position as the elected representative for Marigot: I will stand with the decision of the landowners at Crapaud Hall and Deux Branches. With fair compensation and these safeguards in place, then we must proceed.”
Charles rejected framing the project as a simple resource extraction effort, instead positioning it as a catalyst for transformative national benefit. Once completed, the new international airport is projected to stimulate broad economic growth, generate new local jobs, and unlock long-term opportunity for both Marigot and the entire country. “The stone extracted is critical to completing the international airport, a project that will strengthen our economy, create jobs, and position Marigot and the wider nation for growth in the years ahead,” he added.
For Charles, the core of the debate boils down to three non-negotiable priorities: upholding binding agreements with local landowners, protecting natural resources that the entire community depends on, and keeping the nation on a path toward inclusive sustainable development. “This is about building our future while honoring the agreements made with our people and protecting the natural resources we all depend on. We move forward together, with respect for land rights, environmental stewardship, and commitment to national development,” he concluded.