I would like to make an observation on ‘Mining Under Siege’ published in the Kaieteur News on August 2, 2012. My hope is that my brothers and sisters coming for the National Toshaos Conference will have the opportunity to read this. I noticed a criterion for the right to mine in Amerindian Proposed extension and Titled Lands being pushed by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA). The laws are clear on this issue and the GGDMA peddling the right for miners to operate in these areas is totally misleading and amounts to total disrespect of the Amerindian Act 2006 and other laws and regulations governing such activities.
This is not the first time I am noticing the GGDMA ranting about Amerindians and their lands and the right to mine on these lands.The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) did the right thing to stop taking monies from them for blocks or concessions located within Amerindian roposed extensions or Titled areas.
The GGDMA’s executive members collectively holding more than 200 years of experience in mining does not entitle them to destroy lands and rivers that Amerindians collectively protected for over 15,000 years.
This brings to mind the rebellious behaviour of our taxi drivers when the colour code was introduced to them. A law they did not want, as operating unregulated for so long seemed right. Likewise, mining which has been uncontrolled for an extensive period of time now sees ‘control mechanisms’ as a threat to the industry. Both Mr. Harding and I know that introducing control measures is not a threat but an effort to better manage the industry and should be better guided by his chivalrous instinct and not be bridled and tugged by an unruly and ill-disciplined set of miners.
The Amerindians need to take this observation seriously as, allowing the GGDMA to have free entry and hold on our lands using the pretext as ‘mining in the best interest of Guyana’ at the expense of the Amerindians and their lands, will not augur well for the indigenous peoples in the long term. It is my opinion that maintaining the current trend of mining within proposed extension and titled areas, will force the Amerindians to live in a destroyed environment come 50 years from now, or maybe earlier.
Amerindians need to organise against this development and work in partnership with stakeholder groups that encourage controlled and responsible mining practices. Don’t be misguided by the GGDMA’s cunning ploy of representing your mining interest for they do not, they are more for themselves, be wise.