A Brazilian national, who was caught mining in the Kaieteur National Park, has been fined $7M, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced yesterday.
Ceso Alves De Alcantara was fined after a raid by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission in the Kaieteur National Park buffer area found a dredge and an excavator engine, which belonged to him, operating there, the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
The equipment was detained and charges were prepared against De Alcantara.
The statement said that during discussions on August 4 and 5, 2016, the miner indicated that he fully regretted the situation.
The statement added that the equipment is to be removed from the buffer area to Grass Falls, with the understanding that there should be no future issue arising from the man’s operation working near prohibited areas or without permission.
“The Ministry of Natural Resources and the GGMC believe that this action sends a strong signal that there is a zero tolerance approach towards mining in protected areas and outside of the law and that stern action can and will be taken against those found doing so,” it further said.
