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NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Illegal copper burning, remains a concern for residents in western new providence.
An our news exclusive revealed earlier this month that it’s become a nearly unbearable issue but how have those responsible been able to get away with it for so long?
Many of you are probably seeing this shocking drone footage for the first time, but for residents in western new providence… What’s captured on camera has been the nightmare they’ve been living for months.
It shows two men appearing to burn copper wires, the fire sending billows of smoke into the air and to surrounding communities.
We got the tip last week and spoke to an environmentalist on the dangerous impact.
Here’s what Smith captured using his drone when we visited the area this week.
Novaldo Smith – drone pilot “shooting their firearms, you have persons who are burning coals, who are burning copper, and a lot of stolen vehicles are also ion the back here as well”
Our only obstacle, piles of dirt placed by the government to block the road off from illegal burners, but the tactic has been less than successful.
After a 5-minute walk we came upon this site , the ground was covered with black ash, with scrap metal lying discarded, just feet away from this old well.
But Smith says the health of residents costs more than the price of Copper.
Novaldo Smith – drone pilot “some of the neighbours are suffering from cancer, and yinno smoke doesn’t go well with cancer. So we try to find ways and means to have persons to stop burning copper and coal in these areas.”
It is an issue environment minister, Vaughn Miller, says they’re aggressively tackling.
For smith and other residents in the area, the request is simple.
Novaldo smith – drone pilot “the ecology you can go and dump your garbage. But please man let’s try to keep the Bahamas clean and the wildlife- this the air we breathe, if you can take a look the entire Frank Watson is smoky.”