The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) last week demolished a number of structures and ordered the removal of over 75 mining operations from the Two Point Backdam, Cuyuni following a standoff with small miners operating there.
On Thursday last, Stabroek News reported that the miners were given three days to remove from the area following complaints of illegal operations as well as squatting on lands owned by other persons. The grace period expired on Thursday and according to information reaching Stabroek News, the demolition of shops and other structures was undertaken over the weekend.
There have been numerous complaints by claim holders in the Region Seven area that the small miners are occupying their lands without the requisite permission and as such an operation was launched to remove them.
Yesterday, Chair of the Small Miners Association of Guyana Inc (SMAGI), David Daniels confirmed that the miners are being removed. He noted that the issue stems from several persons laying claim to the land on which the small miners are operating. He said that they have been in contact with the small miners and a lot of them are reporting that they are operating on state lands.
He reminded that the issue was raised with President Irfaan Ali back in June while he was on an outreach in Region Seven. Daniels said that GGMC head Newell Dennison was also at the outreach where the issue was raised and that SMAGI would have indicated its interest in acquiring the rights to mine in the area.
“Our last communication with the miners is that they are being removed. All the shops were broken down by GGMC officials and the miners were asked to remove from the said lands or totally from the area wherever is regarded as state lands.
“I reached out to Minister [of Natural Resources Vickram] Bharrat concerning the situation and the emergency of it in helping small miners. Mr Bharrat put me on to Mr Jimmy Reece – Chairman of the GGMC board and I told Mr Reece of our intention in acquiring some of the state lands in that particular area for small miners so that small miners can access,” Daniels said during an interview with this newspaper.
Daniels said that SMAGI will be formally putting in its application for the available lands in the Two Point area but also expressed some concern about the process.
“I went to GGMC when we had a meeting and they told us that they don’t have any land available at GGMC that is available. They said that the land is available at the close circuit committee. We are aware that there are over 7000 mining lands available at GGMC because they do not give back the land so easy. We know that priority will be given to certain people directly when their application go in at the GGMC. We know priority will be given to selected people and we asking for government intervention to ensure that small miners get access to those lands there because those men that going for these land is men that owns multiple blocks and they are given priority,” he said.
Yesterday, Daniels related that 75 mining operations were ordered to remove from the area. He explained that among that number are 58 small operators. He noted that this move severely impacts the lives and livelihoods of over 100 persons since a number of shops were also demolished by the GGMC.
He added that some of the miners are refusing to remove from the area but the Association is assuring them that their concerns will be addressed.
“At this time the association would like to state that the ongoing engagement between the government and SMAGI is coming apace with much promise as it so far appears that the government is open to hearing the plight of small miners and has made certain efforts and commitments to alleviate their struggles. One of which is the minister’s directive to the Chairman of GGMC board Mr Reece to assist us in locating viable lands that may be granted to our organization,” he said.
Daniels previously said that none of the small miners operating in the Two Point Backdam has legal claims but they are engaging claim holders to sublet lands as well. He added they have met with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association which signalled its support for the move to have small miners regularized in the area and that was communicated to the GGMC. (Lakhram Bhagirat)
