-mining residue seen as factor

The regional authorities in Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) may consider de-silting waterways surrounding the mining community of Mahdia in light of flooding of the low-lying areas there, the main cause being swollen streams. Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ishwar Dass, told this newspaper yesterday that recent flooding in the interior community, which had come after continuous rainfall over a three-day period, was partially the result of the nearby Mahdia Creek and connected waterways being overtopped, noting that the waterways may have to be de-silted.

Dass explained that water from the mining area of White Hole, which lies in proximity to Mahdia, often flows down into the nearby creeks, carrying silt and according to Dass, the community “is in a basin”, and as such there is always the likelihood of flooding. He said that the authorities at some point, may have to set aside funds to de-silt the Mahdia Creek, a main waterway through  which  accumulated water is discharged.

The REO said that whenever there is flooding in the community, due mainly to torrential rainfall, accumulated water often flows off the land within a matter of 4-6 hours. Regional Chairman Senor Bell had alluded to this while speaking to this newspaper two weekends ago, noting that if the rain continued, there was the likelihood of water accumulating for longer periods.

Residents in the area told this newspaper recently that mining activities in the White Hole area had been seen as a contributing factor to flooding in the community, a situation which had cut off road transportation services to and from the area. A resident in the area told this newspaper yesterday that tailings ponds in the White Hole area had been breached and may have caused nearby waterways, including the Hand Rail Creek which passes through the community, to overtop. There is also the danger of toxic material in the tailings pond pouring into the creek and other waterways.

A pilot programme was undertaken by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Canada-funded Guyana Environmental and Capacity Building Project (GENCAPD) at White Hole last year to restrict water being utilized by open-pit mining operations, to the pits. Several miners had stated at the time that the project, while useful, was expensive to undertake, some noting that the rental fees for use of an excavator could not be garnered.

Dass said that while overtopping of the tailings ponds may be a factor, the situation is a natural occurrence due to heavy rainfall, and that there is so much which can be done to remedy the situation. He reiterated that the creeks would have to be de-silted, adding that the colour of the water provides an indication of its source, being the mining area at White Hole.

Meanwhile, the Essequibo River crossing at Mango Landing, which is part of the route utilized by Route 72 minibuses which ply the Mahdia/Georgetown Route and private users is in operation. Dass said that while the pontoon service which is provided by the Mekdeci Mining Company is currently in operation, the possibility of the Essequibo River overtopping at the crossing exists as the rainy season continues.