The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) yesterday said that all permits for river bank mining have been rescinded with immediate effect until further notice.
A notice in yesterday’s Stabroek News said that Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman had issued policy directives and as such protocols in relation to the application for, consideration and granting of permission are being reviewed.
Consequently, it said, “All `permissions’ previously granted to breach river banks (buffer zones) for access to claims or mining permits or for prospecting, mining and quarrying operations are rescinded with immediate effect until further notice.”
The notice pointed out that mining river banks is against the law and that any breach of the river banks for access to claims or for prospecting or mining and quarrying require specific permission from the GGMC. That process is now on hold.
Reports have continued to come in about wanton destruction of river banks in mining areas. The GGMC has been accused of not taking determined action to prevent this.
River mining has been a controversial issue for decades here. In July, 2012 the GGMC had stopped river claims pointing out that it had been overwhelmed by reports from stakeholders of damage to the environment from irresponsible mining.
However, this sparked an uproar in the mining community and then Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud and the GGMC were later to say that there had only been a suspension of the practice for a review of the situation based on reports of severe pollution by miners.
It was thought that significant pressure was brought to bear on the government at the time by the mining community to reverse the decision.
