The GGMC had previously issued warnings to miners to desist from entering the area and according to the organization, the two miners, who had small/medium-scale operations, committed several breaches over a period. According to the GGMC, several pieces of equipment which belong to the miners in question, Israel Benn of Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara and Charles Burrowes of 111 Miles Potaro Road, were found at the location and had been confiscated by the GGMC.
Benn and Burrowes, who are career miners, had their permits rescinded for a period of five years. The GGMC in an advertisement recently stated that the two individuals would not be issued with a Mining Privilege, Prospecting Permit (Small Scale) or be registered to work in any mining district in Guyana in keeping with the mining regulations over the five- year period. Neither of the two miners could be reached by Stabroek News for comment.
Last year Stabroek Business had reported that OGML wanted to protect itself against any environmental damage to the area since the company scaled down operations in the area. Those concerns came to light in wake of a number of incursions in the OGML concession, west of the Omai River in the Essequibo with such illegal operations causing significant damage to the area including the diversion of the Omai River. The GGMC has since enforced existing regulations prohibiting miners from encroaching on the area in question.
