The Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) yesterday said that absolutely no mining is allowed in protected areas such as the Kaieteur National Park following a protest there last Saturday by miners from Chenepau.
In a release, the GGMC stated that it has taken note of the vidoes and statements circulating in social media that are attributed to residents of Chenapau Amerindian Village, with respect to mining in protected areas such as the Kaieteur National Park (KNP). In response, the Commission reminded that it is the regulatory body for mining and reaffirmed that according to law, no mining is allowed by anyone within protected areas, including the KNP. It added, “The laws and regulations are applied evenly to everyone and mining activities remain prohibited within the KNP as it has severe implications on the environment.”
The release also acknowledged the challenges faced by the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) as it works in tandem with other entities to enforce the legislations that governs the Kaieteur National Park and put a cessation to illegal mining activities within the Park.
It noted that while it executes its mandate, it is also aware the residents of Chenapau Village have the belief that that they were conducting mining activities on their Village lands, based on their historical or otherwise understanding of their Village boundaries. To this, the GGMC pointed out that such a view is incorrect and while it understands that the mining activities may have been unintentional, it reminded that the ongoing enforcement activities must be completed by the relevant agencies, and all mining within the Kaieteur National Park cease, with persons vacating the area.
The Commission also highlighted that it is the only entity authorised to issue permits and licences for mining operations, even those within Amerindian Village lands, and therein, it is essential that persons engaging in mining activities must be duly authorized by the GGMC.
With the aforementioned in mind, the GGMC “reiterates its respect for the rights of Indigenous peoples and their livlihoods, and urges Chinapau residents to also respect the laws and peacefully remove from the Kaieteur National Park.”
On Saturday, October 28, dozens of Chenapau villagers protested their removal by the GGMC from near the KNP where they said they had been granted permission to mine. What sparked the protest was the incident where several armed police ranks, accompanied by the Chief Warden of the parks and officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) visited the Potaro-Siparuni community and informed the residents that they were mining within a protected area and as such, must leave the site or face legal consequences.
However, according to villagers, they were told that the armed ranks of close to a dozen men were acting on behalf of the GGMC and the Ministry of Natural Resources. The villagers countered that they were mining in the buffer zone which is also earmarked as land to be used for mining in accordance with the Amerindian Act.
The stoppage angered the community and in response, the villagers armed themselves with placards and engaged in protest action calling for a halt to the stoppage and threat of legal action as their livelihood was being affected.
Toshao of Chenapau, Standford John, contended that the villagers were not breaking any laws and should have been allowed to continue their mining activities since they were doing so with the permission of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and an entitlement based on the Amerindian Act.
He reminded that just a few months ago, the mining boundaries were clarified with the authorities.
The toshao noted that this was not the first time that the authorities have come to cease mining activities.
He referred to 2017 when over two dozen miners were arrested for illegal mining and were later released without any charges.
