Guyana Cracking Down On Illegal Mining Operations

GEORGETOWN, Guyana CMC – Guyana authorities say they have launched a crackdown on illegal mining in the country and also warned licence holders of their obligations under the existing laws.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) said it recently conducted a series of monitoring and enforcement exercises within the mining districts with a primary focus on prospecting property holders.

It said it was assisted by the Guyana Police Force and the Air Corps of the Guyana Defence Force and that the exercise resulted from complaints from Prospecting Licence (PL) holders and other property holders of raiding by illegal miners, including Brazilians.

The GGMC said that investigations revealed several illegal mining operations were present on a property that is intended for only prospecting purposes and that the Commission has since been instructed to take necessary actions against the licence holder as provided under the Mining Act.

It reminded licence holders that Clause 1 of the Prospecting Licence Agreement states, “The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission under Section 30 of the Mining Act 1989, has granted the above mentioned tract of land for the purpose of prospecting for gold and valuable minerals but not to be worked for profit, to be given out to lessees or tributors, for a period of three years”.

Further, the GGMC said it was reminding all Prospecting Licences and mineral property holders that they should be guided by the conditions as stipulated in the licences.

“Several other areas have been targeted and similar monitoring and compliance exercises will commence soon. The Commission will continue Operation El Dorado in other mining districts to boost ongoing monitoring and enforcement activities with support from other sister agencies,” the statement added.