Previous studies or surveys also indicated that the pozzolan on Pagan is approximately 200 million tons.
Aldan’s report was relayed by former Rep. William S. Torres, the consultant of the upcoming Northern Islands Development Summit.
Torres said the mineral deposits in the CNMI’s “northern frontier” can attract investors, developers and tourist-oriented businesses.
“We need to be proactive,” he said during the recent meeting of the Northern Islands development planning committee headed by Jess Wabol.
Architect Herman B. Cabrera said there are only three kinds of pozzolan in the world and the best and finest is found on Pagan.
“As you know low quality form of pozzolan sells up to $50 per ton, while a pozzolanic additive sells for at least $1,000 per ton in Britain,” the mayor said.
Jerome Aldan of the Northern Islands mayor’s office reported about the intention of Island Ventures LLC to help develop the islands.
He said the Department of Public Lands issued a one-year non-exclusive use permit to Island Ventures to conduct a feasibility study.
DPL planning director Pat Rasa said the permit does not authorize the Island Ventures to conduct any commercial activities and perform extraction of pozzolan and basalt materials.
Mayor Tobias Aldan requested DPL to consider an amended permit for the company.
“In addition to other disturbances the proposed activity may cause to the natural setting of Pagan, it may also compromise the tranquility of the Pagan residents. In this regard, I request that this provision be included in the non-exclusive ‘use’ permit,” he said in a letter to DPL Secretary Oscar Babauta.
He said his office and the Northern Islands resettlement and redevelopment planning group are available to further discuss development plans with DPL.
“Please be assured of the full cooperation and assistance of the office through the Development planning committee in making Island Ventures LLC a partner in the development plan for the Northern Frontier,” Aldan told Babauta.
