A MASSIVE tunnel mining operation in the New River Basin some 50 miles east of Masakanari (Guns Village), South Rupununi, was discovered by the Joint Service, in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), earlier this week.

According to the GDF, the team located the camp and discovered three tunnels, one of which was abandoned while two were deemed active.
The team also discovered several pieces of equipment, including a satellite dish, but no one was found at the camp.
Due to the remoteness of the location, seizure of the equipment was not feasible, so they were subsequently destroyed.
Investigators believe that the persons who were conducting mining operations might have been utilising an illegal airstrip in Brazil, located some two miles south of the Guyana/Brazil border.

The New River Basin is designated a Rare Earth Mineral Reserve, and, as such, mining is strictly prohibited in the area.