Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman met with the South Rupununi Development Council (SRDC) and the National Toshaos Council (NTC) on October 3rd and 4th respectively and one of the issues raised was the possible extension of an IDB-funded project.
A release from the Ministry of Natural Resources on Friday said that the initial meeting with the SRDC sought to address the Government’s policy on river mining and the protection of the key headwaters in the South Rupununi, the status of the operation of the “Dragga” down Kuyuwini River, and the status of the Marudi Mediation Agreement Process. The details of these discussions were not contained in the release. Grave concern had been raised by Rupununi communities about the presence of the dredge in the Kuyuwini River and also about the pollution of river water by mining activity.