THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), with support from the Guyana Police Force has clamped down on illegal mining operations in Marudi Mountain and Tassawini following breaches of legal agreements by small miners.
In a release on Sunday, the GGMC provided clarifications on the enforcement activities at Marudi Mountain located in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and Tassawini in Region One (Barima-Waini).
According to the release, the operation in Marudi Mountain began on May 1 with a team of officers headed by GGMC Senior Engineer, Trevor Hurry. Three members of the ministry’s corps of wardens and four members of the police force formed part of the team.
The enforcement team visited the areas in response to major deviations from the ‘Mediation of the Marudi Mountain Dispute Agreement’ of 2016.
Telling of the history of the agreement, the GGMC said that in April 2016, Natural Resources Minster Raphael Trotman, on behalf of the Government, intervened in a three party standoff. It involved the small miners from the Marudi Mountain area, representatives of Indigenous communities and Romanex Guyana Exploration Limited.
Trotman facilitated a mediation process which saw all parties signing the ‘Mediation of the Marudi Mountain Dispute Agreement’.
“This agreement paved the way for approximately 70 small scale mining operations to be able to continue operations providing they adhere to the environmental, safety and health stipulations. However, in late 2018 and early 2019, several small-scale operators had descended upon the Mazoa Hill area and began dangerous and illegal mining operations,” the Ministry explained in the statement.
The act was a direct breach of the terms of the agreement and resulted in the current enforcement.
“At the response to numerous requests for an enforcement operation made by the company, Romanex Inc., the Rupununi Miners Association and the South Rupununi Development Board, the GGMC has chosen to respond at this time,” the ministry explained.
The enforcement team, upon commencement of its work on May 1, held a general meeting to inform persons of the purpose of the exercise and expected outcomes.
Orders were then issued to the unauthorised operators within the Marudi Mining License to remove from the claim or permit area under Regulation 154.
A total of 34 operators of “crushers” and four operators of hydraulic excavators have been issued with orders to remove which expired on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the GGMC stated that the enforcement operation in Tassawini also began on May 1, 2019 with a team of three GGMC officers headed by Senior Mining Engineer, Michael Howard.
They were accompanied by three members of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Corps of Wardens and four members of the police force. “The area currently has several illegal miners present. The objective, therefore, is to remove all mining operations from Wayne Vieira’s mineral properties located within the Tassawini Amerindian Reserve, Barama River,” the ministry explained.
It further explained that discussions between the GGMC and representatives of the Chinese Landing community took place in 2018 when it was pointed out that a ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) affirmed Wayne Vieira’s rights to the mining concession and copies of the Order of Court were shared.
The enforcement team held discussions with the Toshao and Councilors of Tassawini Village and apprised them of the purpose of the visit and its intended activities.
The team documented that there were an estimated 17 illegal and heavily mechanised mining operations on Wayne Vieira’s mineral property.
The enforcement activities began with the dismantling of 11 wooden sluice-boxes and the retrieval of several pieces of tackling associated with the mining operations.
“The remaining persons had asked for additional time to remove their equipment from the mineral property. Wayne Vieira would be expected to secure the mineral property within a specified period” the Ministry explained.
“It is the Ministry’s responsibility to ensure safe and responsible exploration, development and utilisation of Guyana’s natural resources, as such we will continue to investigate and respond to issues of illegal and dangerous mining activities and always deter such acts.” The ministry has since encouraged all to cooperate with officers in the Regions to ensure proper execution of the operation.
