The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment will be moving to hold consultations to develop a policy for mining on titled Amerindian lands while safeguarding the rights of villages under the Amerindian Act.
In a statement, the ministry announced yesterday that it has initiated discussions with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Amerindian Affairs ministry and it is broadening the discussions to include other stakeholders on the early development and implementation of a policy and plan of action.
The talks have been prompted by the efforts of Region 7 village Isseneru to halt the operations of a mining company which did not secure permission from the village council for activities on its land. The situation is currently being resolved in court.
The Ministry said yesterday it will vigorously defend the rights of the Amerindian communities against trespassing by miners who mine on titled lands without requisite permission.
It noted the concerns raised by residents of Isseneru and said that to address the situation and the wider issues of mining on titled lands, it along with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the GGMC met with the members of the of village council.
Deputy Toshao of the Region 7 community Claude Bennet told Stabroek News yesterday that the discussions so far have been productive, while noting that their concerns are being addressed by the authorities.
He said that while the miner has filed an injunction barring the GGMC and the village council from interfering with his operation, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry pointed out that the agency needed to pay careful attention regarding the issuance of mining permits to miners. He said that it must have been a case where the miner in question, who was issued two cease work orders by the authorities, had his permit to mine renewed by the GGMC without the titled status of the community being considered.
The Natural Resources ministry stated that it will continue to monitor the situation closely.
The village captain Dhannes Larson and members of the council told the media last Friday that the matter has engaged the authorities but no firm action has been take against the company.
Isseneru received its village title in 2007, the Toshao stated and he noted that the miner in question has related that he was documentation to mine in the area which was given to him prior to the village being awarded its title. He said that the miner occupies several small mining blocks in the area.
