GGDMA condemns illegal mining in Iwokrama

Following the reports of illegal mining within the Iwokrama conservation, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has registered a strong condemnation of those illegal operations.

The association, in a press release, called on the relevant authorities to remove the illegal miners who have been mining outside of the mining zone and in the protected area.
“The GGDMA supports the rights of miners and will continue to advocate for miners’ rights but it will not tolerate, support, or encourage illegal mining. Everyone must respect the protected areas of Guyana and the restricted zones,” the GGDMA release noted.

In the week of October 16, 2020, Iwokrama staffers, along with full support from the Ministry of Natural Resources Corp of Wardens and the Guyana Police Force witnessed more intrusions of illegal mining operations. Their discovery came as a result of a planned programme of monitoring and enforcement.
These operations, according to the Iwokrama International Research Centre, happened not only in the Iwokrama protected forest, but also in the one-kilometer buffer zone on the other side of the Siparuni River. These activities, the centre believes, are being perpetuated by individuals taking advantage of the current restrictions and lockdown protocols established to combat the COVID-19 virus.

Section 2 of the clause titled “Control of the Programme Site” of the Iwokrama Act states:

“Subject to section 6 (1), and notwithstanding anything in any other written law –
(a) no mining, forestry or other resources utilisation activity shall be carried out on the Programme Site by any person other than the Centre, except with the prior written permission of the Centre; and (b) no lease of land or permission to use land in the Programme Site shall be issued by any person other than the Centre, and all activities on the Programme Site shall be in accordance with regulations prescribed therefor under this Act.
Section 3 of the Act prescribes penalties.

Furthermore, the Association emphasised that it will continue to work alongside the mining authorities to help stem the scourge of illegal mining. Illegal mining deprives the country of revenue but also encourages some of the worst mining practices and illegal activities.

Recently, the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, said that there is evidence to support that Guyana’s gold, which may have been illegally mined, is being smuggled to neighbouring countries. So far, he said that one person was charged for illegal mining in Iwokrama.

“We call on all miners to respect the mining regulations in place and to work with the authorities to help improve the industry. Illegal mining must end. Protected areas must be respected,” the GGDMA said.