RESIDENTS of Batavia in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni district, are hoping that an amicable solution would come to the fore as regards a mining dispute, which saw tempers flare last month between employees of a Bartica-based miner and villagers.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples; Affairs this week , Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, on Monday met with the Batavia Village Council, the miner ,Rickey Ramnarine, and representatives of the

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to address the mining situation.
“Parties involved, agreed to firstly address the demarcation of both mining blocks, so that villagers are aware of the area in question. The miner has agreed to conduct a private survey of the two blocks with representatives from both GGMC and the villagers’ full involvement,” the ministry stated. It was noted too that the process should take approximately two weeks and this will be followed by further negotiations, so that an amicable solution can be reached.

Toshao of Batavia, Oren Williams, told the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday that the villagers are satisfied that the authorities have intervened. Residents travelled into the area on September 22, 2018 and surrounded the workmen attached to the mining company as they noted that the miner has encroached on their titled lands. Prior to the stand-off, the workmen destroyed mining equipment which the villagers had taken to the area weeks earlier.

Williams noted on Wednesday that it was agreed that if the demarcation process indicates that the miner has blocks within Batavia’s titled lands, negotiations will continue regarding royalties to be paid to the village council.

Mining has never occurred within the village lands until three months ago when villagers encountered gold-bearing rocks on the village lands.

According to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, prior to this week’s meeting, last Wednesday Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe , met with representatives of the Batavia Village Council and GGMC to address the issue.
The ministry said villagers have collectively decided that mechanisms must be put in place to ensure operations are carried out in accordance with the villages’ stipulations and the Amerindian Act of 2006.

The ministry said that at a village meeting held on September 21, villagers agreed that for the mining operations to continue, Ramnarine must comply with several conditions set out.
Among them, giving priority to villagers of demarcated mining blocks, since it is important for them to know the mining borders of his two claims.

“They also noted that mining must be done in accordance with the agreement between miner and village, royalties must be paid, the village will determine the number of excavators allowed, in cases of emergencies Mr. Ramnarine must be able to provide assistance to village,” the statement said.

It was noted too that when clearing land , all marketable logs must be put on a ramp identified by the village council.

Residents also called for the general manager, who they first encountered on the lands when the issue came to light last month , to be immediately replaced ,”because of disrespectful behaviour towards residents.”

According to the document penalties will be instituted should Ramnarine fail to meet the conditions set out.