Saying the exclusion of indigenous communities from having input on the resumption of mining operations on the Marudi Mountains, in the South Rupununi, Region Nine, violates their right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), indigenous activists have added their voices to the call for government to scrap the deal and hold consultations.
The recent signing of the agreement is being seen as proof of government’s disregard for the rights of indigenous communities of the South Rupununi, a Wapichan territory, who only learnt of the agreement via a post on the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Facebook page. As a result, activists say that government’s approach to the situation has been one of “disrespect,” hence the call for proper consultations to be held.