MINISTER of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat has said the parties involved in the ongoing mining dispute at Chinese Landing-Tassawini, Region One (Barima-Waini), will soon meet to discuss a way forward. This follows renewed tensions over the movement of heavy-duty mining equipment into the community’s titled lands.
Bharrat gave the assurance on Monday evening in response to questions from the Guyana Chronicle regarding a report that residents had blocked mining equipment from entering the community amid renewed mining operations.
“The two parties will meet soon to have talks on a solution moving forward,” Bharrat said.
According to the Chinese Landing-Tassawini Village Council, residents began blocking the road into the Tassawini backdam after observing at least nine excavators, two bulldozers and several dredge engines being transported into the village on multiple barges.
The Council said the equipment was brought into the community without notice to, or permission from, the Village Council.
The Council said it understands the equipment to be registered to businessman Wayne Vieira, who holds several disputed mining blocks within the village’s titled lands.
It said residents are particularly concerned because the community has not consented to Vieira’s mining operations and because the Council is currently engaged in “good-faith discussions” with him to reach a temporary solution while the village’s court case remains pending.
The Council contended that Vieira’s preparations to resume mining while those discussions are ongoing undermine the mediation process.
It further claimed that a Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) mines officer stationed at Tassawini told the Council he was unable or unwilling to prevent the equipment from entering the mining blocks.
As a result, the Council said residents chose to physically prevent the equipment from moving further into the community’s lands. It is calling on the Ministry of Natural Resources and the GGMC to halt Vieira’s operations until the mediation process is completed and the village gives its consent.
The Council also said mining resumed in March and that residents were informed in July 2026, during a National Toshaos Council meeting, that the mining ban had been lifted.
Chinese Landing secured legal title to its lands in 1976, with businessman Vieira later obtaining mining permits covering areas within those titled lands.
The community has maintained that mining should not proceed without its consent.
In 2023, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures in favour of the community following allegations of threats, harassment and violence linked to the mining dispute.
Minister Bharrat did not provide a date for the proposed meeting or indicate what measures may be taken in the interim to address the renewed tensions.
