Dear Editor
I WISH to bring to the attention of various state agencies and government ministries responsible for mining, indigenous affairs and legal affairs, a disturbing situation between a mining operation and the residents of Isseneru Village, Middle Mazaruni, Region #7.04The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) had, on October 10, 2015, issued permission to an individual to operate a cutterhead river dredge in close proximity to the Isseneru’s residential area. This is a blatant disrespect by GGMC and its officers to grant permission to this operation, knowing that this type of mining can cause huge environmental damage, health problems, and loss of life.

Editor, this is a serious issue which needs an urgent response, because it poses the risk of erosion and major damages being inflicted to residential and governmental properties, including the hydromet station, school and health facilities, which are close to the area where this destructive mining operation is positioned.

This is also a violation of Isseneru’s rights under Section 48 (1) of the Amerindian Act and Section 112 of the Mining Act, since no consultation was held between the GGMC, the dredge owner and the Isseneru Village Council.

GGMC and the mining operation must be held accountable for this ‘disastrous situation’, should any environmental or human disaster occur. To make matters worse, this operation is creating a lot of noise both day and night, and affecting residents, school children, the elderly and patients.

The court rulings in favour of miners have given them ‘superman powers’ over Amerindian Village Councils, thus creating an unfriendly and disrespectful environment for Indigenous peoples, where violations will thrive.

This has to stop! I therefore call on the government to strengthen legislation and to have broad powers, so that under these laws, human rights, including indigenous peoples’ rights, are guaranteed fully, just as much as those of miners, loggers and other land grabbers. To strengthen my call for reform of legislation, I would like to quote Minister Trotman in a Kaieteur News article (October 10, 2015), “Government reviewing mining concessions”, which stated that “No mining rights will be given on lands occupied by Amerindians. However, there is nothing to stop Amerindians from mining within those lands; or, as been the case, they are free to enter into bilateral agreements with persons or companies to mine their lands, but the GGMC is not allowed to give out permits either to prospect or mine in any such area without the consent of the Amerindian Community.”

Editor, those are very powerful words that must not go un-noticed. They signal government’s intention to respect, protect and uphold “Amerindian Rights to their lands”, but we must not let their promises hold our feet down. The Government must act now and keep public expectations at a high level, where we can feel respected and protected under the laws of Guyana.

Therefore, I request, on behalf of my people, that the relevant authorities investigate mining operations that are there without the consent of Amerindian villages such as in Isseneru, Kangaruma, Tassarene, Jawalla, Baramita, Chinese Landing and many other places.
Yours sincerely
Dwight Larson
Isseneru Village
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