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THE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment disclosed, yesterday, that Romanex (Guyana) Exploration Limited was granted a mining licence, on April 16, 2009, for a period of 20 years. It permits the company to mine for gold and all other minerals over 7,673 acres, the ministry said in a statement, following a protest in the deep South Rupununi village of Aishalton on Tuesday.
Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle said the residents there were protesting because Romanex had moved excavating equipment and was heading to the Marudi Mountains.
The Ministry explained that a contractual arrangement was entered into between Mulgravian and Romanex for the former to provide security and management of the mining concession.
Romanex and its agents are, therefore, legally allowed to enter and conduct activities that are in keeping with the agreement in the licence granted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
The Ministry said GGMC will continue to honour the arrangement with the company, to support legitimate mining operations and engage all stakeholders interested in getting involved in the sector.
The statement pointed out that the Marudi Mountain area, where the company has its mining concession, is outside of any titled Amerindian location, including Aishalton.
It added, further, that some of the persons involved in the Tuesday blockage of the excavator were directly and indirectly linked to illegal mining in the Marudi Mountain area and efforts to offer legal alternatives to these individuals, by the GGMC, were rebuffed.
Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle said the residents there were protesting because Romanex had moved excavating equipment and was heading to the Marudi Mountains.
The Ministry explained that a contractual arrangement was entered into between Mulgravian and Romanex for the former to provide security and management of the mining concession.
Romanex and its agents are, therefore, legally allowed to enter and conduct activities that are in keeping with the agreement in the licence granted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
The Ministry said GGMC will continue to honour the arrangement with the company, to support legitimate mining operations and engage all stakeholders interested in getting involved in the sector.
The statement pointed out that the Marudi Mountain area, where the company has its mining concession, is outside of any titled Amerindian location, including Aishalton.
It added, further, that some of the persons involved in the Tuesday blockage of the excavator were directly and indirectly linked to illegal mining in the Marudi Mountain area and efforts to offer legal alternatives to these individuals, by the GGMC, were rebuffed.
