Dear Editor,
We see from a press release of the Ministry of Natural Resources that the Amerindians of the South Rupununi are calling for control of the mining areas up for licensing at and near Marudi Mountain. The Minister of course gave the assurance that everything would be done according to the relevant laws, which are already clear.
From the cases of Arau, Isseneru and Kako it is clearly defined what Amerindians are entitled to under the law regarding mining in or near their legally occupied lands. Maybe because the distance (30-odd miles by forest trail) is considered close to the nearest titled land, Amerindian artisanal mining is already tolerated on the Mountain. The Minister will no doubt clarify on what grounds, including environmental impact and miner safety, those operations can be made legal.
Qualified advice will be given by legal minds already engaged by the needy Amerindians as well as by commercial interests. There are a few trade suppliers and facilitators of the Marudi small miners. Shopkeepers have long gained from an enforcement of the law less strict than that now promised by the relevant governmental authorities. Their livelihood is at stake, and of course they are defending it.
Yours faithfully,
Gustav Henderson
