A team of government ministers on Saturday descended on the South Rupununi village of Aishalton to defend the controversial decision to restart small-scale mining activities on the Marudi Mountain, presenting the move as a solution to fast-track development in the area.
However, villagers rebutted their argument and registered their disappointment at government’s failure to consult with them before announcing that a mining agreement had been reached. The agreement comes two years after mining activities were halted. The signing now paves way for the resumption of small-scale mining activities at the mountain.
“They came to us with the story, that mining has economic benefits as if that is the only way for village improvement, but nowhere in the ministry’s [Amerindian Affairs] road map for development, mining is listed,” Kid James, executive member of the South Rupununi Development Council told Stabroek News subsequent to the meeting.
He argued that mining should not be touted as an option for village development since it is not sustainable and the practices by miners contribute to severe environmental impacts.
James questioned why sustainable options for earning such as tourism in their villages are not being pushed as much as mining. He also contended that government should be consulting with them since they are mulling the sale of carbon credits and indigenous peoples are the guardians of the forest.
The meeting comes a week after the signing of an agreement between the Rupununi Miners Association and Aurous, which is commonly referred to as Romanex, to allow small-scale miners to engage in mining activities and the company to resume exploration activities.
A ministerial team consisting of Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai; and Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; along with other government officials met with villagers on Saturday.
James told this newspaper that throughout the meeting, disgruntled villagers made the point that they were excluded from any consultation and were only made aware of an agreement via the media.
Attendees argued that mining in the community will not only destroy sacred traditional lands but will affect the livelihoods of future generations.
On this note, he said the call was made for representatives of the South Rupununi to be a part of all negotiations on mining activities in their district.
“That is our backyard. Not being consulted on the activities that will be taking place there is total disrespect to our people…” James added before stating that the ministerial team promised to make the agreement available to the SRDC.
He stated that even for Saturday’s meeting they were given short notice. They were informed of the meeting on Friday he said, opining that it seemed intended as a tactic to produce a low turnout.
The ministerial group, he added, sought to give them the assurance that all activities will be done with oversight by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). It was also stated that these mining operations will not be utilizing mercury, which is a known environmental hazard.
“They did say no mercury will be used for mining but didn’t say how that will be done. But if they are saying GGMC will monitor, we don’t know how effective that can be because they don’t have a presence at the mountain,” he highlighted, before pointing out that GGMC’s base is some 150 kilometres away from mining activities.
Further, no consideration was given for their traditional artisanal miners who are engaged in punting and chiseling.
On Sunday last, the SRDC condemned the mining deal and called for its urgent rescission citing a “flagrant” violation of Indigenous rights.
James, who is also a resident of Aishalton, pointed out that the push for mining in the mountains is coming from persons outside of their district.
“Most people that want to mine are from out of the South Rupununi villages. They are mostly from Lethem and other areas. In the South we have a population of 9,000 and if we can find a 100 persons who are interested in mining, that is a lot. That number is fluid also because some are just going to be supplying the miners,” he explained.
He added that one way to bring an end to the dispute is for government to address the land titling claims as Indigenous communities will have a much more meaningful say in consultations.
The SRDC in their statement last Sunday said that the mining deal was concluded even though GGMC is well aware that “Marutu Taawa (Marudi Mountain) is a sacred place to the Wapichan people and that the area is subject to a pending application for extension of title by Aishalton Village.” SRDC charged that the GGMC made no attempt to ensure that the Aishalton Village Council, nearby villages, and SRDC were involved in the decision-making concerning mining activities on the mountain.
“The Wapichan people are the traditional owners of the lands in question and those who will be forced to live with the consequences of these decisions long after these miners have departed. Government would have been officially informed about the extent of territorial lands as early as 1965 and this would have been followed up ever since with both collective and individual request for recognition by our communities. Learning of this agreement through the Ministry’s Facebook post, have set a new low standard for meaningful participation in activities that affect Indigenous communities at a time when ardent efforts are being made to fully account for indigenous peoples rights and apply full Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) principles by all when engaging our communities”, the SRDC declared.
Notice of the mining deal was posted on the Ministry’s Facebook page.
Bharrat was present at the signing along with the Chairman of the GGMC Board of Directors, Jimmy Reece; Commissioner of the GGMC, Newell Dennison; and representatives of the Rupununi Miners Association and other Technical Officers of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Facebook post said that during brief remarks, Bharrat recognised the “vital role” that mining plays within the Rupununi. He urged all stakeholders to undertake mining and exploration activities in keeping with the Mining Act and Regulations.
The SRDC statement countered that South Rupununi villages have witnessed the destruction already wrought by mining in the area and village elders have previously expressed their desire to prevent further environmental and cultural damage.
Earlier this year, following a visit to the Marudi Mountain, Stabroek News reported on the damage to the Mazoa Mountain from mining and the pollution and changes to waterways.
