Representatives of miners operating at Marudi in the Rupununi have agreed to halt hard rock excavations and only process ore they have stockpiled following a mediation exercise in Lethem over the weekend.
The miners have been mining illegally for years in the area which is controlled by Canadian mining company Romanex. Romanex has a Mining Licence for the area but its attempts to move to mining on a larger scale has not materialised though it is making fresh efforts to do so. Conflicts have arisen between Romanex, the miners, and several indigenous communities in the South Rupununi regarding the mining operations.
Following two days of talks at the Amerindian Hostel in Lethem on Saturday and yesterday, the various stakeholders including the Rupununi Miners Association, the Guyana Women Miners Organization, small miners from the Marudi mountain area, representatives from Romanex Mining Company, and leaders from the neighbouring Amerindian communities of Aishalton, Awariwaunau, Karaudarnau, Achiwuib, Maruranau, and Shea signed an agreement which is expected to be taken by Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman to Cabinet.
Sources who were present at the meeting told Stabroek News that the miners acknowledged that they were operating illegally on the property and agreed to get their house in order. The sources spoke with Stabroek News on the condition of anonymity as those present at the mediation had agreed not to discuss the agreement publicly until it was approved by Cabinet.
Romanex has insisted that the miners operate within certain standards as the company looks to complete an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The company wants the miners to stop using mercury and polluting rivers and has offered some assistance including to help with the purchase of a centrifugal system.
Initially, the miners pushed for them to be given the gold-rich Mazoa Hill area but mediator Major General (Rtd) Joe Singh warned that they were operating there illegally. He pointed out that Romanex has legal documents for the area while they did not.
Singh, who was praised for his “objectivity” in the conduct of the mediation, told the miners that the area was like a private home belonging to someone, and the miners are occupying a room without the permission of the property owner and now they are demanding what room they want to be in.
Stabroek News was told that representatives of the Amerindian communities complained of the environmental and social damage wrought by the increased mining activities. Among other things, the issue of illegal guns and drugs as well as prostitution and other social ills were raised.
The miners argued that their livelihoods would be affected and spoke of their investments in their operations and the debts owed.
Singh responded that the authorities understand these issues but the miners at some point must have realised that the authorities were going to enforce the law as they were operating illegally.
He said that the government does not want to come down heavily on the miners but it cannot condone illegality as well.
Some of the miners did not receive the statements well, and at one point, threatened to protest but Singh was firm that they had to work with the process otherwise government could authorise the regulatory agencies to evict them as they were operating there illegally.
Romanex, which is working along with a facilitation firm, Falcon Logistics and Management Services said they were prepared to work with the miners once they met certain conditions. The company reps pointed out that they have to update the ESIA and produce a management plan but in order for this to proceed, all mining has to cease and the miners have to meet the requirements of the ESIA.
An attorney who represented the miners said he understood that the miners would not be able to meet the requirements. The miners also insisted that they be granted Mazoa Hill to work.
Singh pointed out that the company is offering to help the miners but they have to maintain standards and in all fairness to the firm, they could not ask for the land and he would not allow it.
In the end, it was agreed that the miners will halt excavations and only process the ore currently stockpiled. Officials are expected to visit before the end of the second week in May to verify the stockpiles.
A process on the way forward was also agreed to by the parties.
