Guyana authorities detain several people for illegal mining
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The Guyana government says it has discovered 20 illegal mining camps in the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) and several people have detained following an operation by the security forces over the past weekend.
It said that the operations on Sunday by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) as well as personnel from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) resulted in the discovery of the illegal mines, some of which had been in operation since 2014.The government said that despite action taken by the GGMC against the illegal miners, including the issuance of the cease orders, at least two mines still remained active.“What we have found is that in some areas where miners have been previously moved, they have gone back. So there is a need for strong actions so that a message can be sent. In 2013, five cease orders were issued by the GGMC to mining operators of mines within the Waratuk area, north-eastern boundary of the Park boundary.“There were two site visits conducted by PAC and GGMC in August 10, 2014 where three mines and four camps were observed within the extreme north and north-eastern boundary of the park. This led to the issuance of three cease orders by the GGMC.In March, 2016, two flyovers were conducted by PAC and GGMC, which indicated that the mining had continued to persist within the Park boundaries. This led to the GGMC enforcement, which resulted in the seizure of 11 engines, eight dredges and an excavator,” Fraser said.As a result of the raid on Sunday, five camps were searched and 21 people have been detained by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for illegal mining in the KNP.Fraser said that the PAC has been in contact with the Ministry of Natural Resources as well as the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to ensure that the detainees have access to food and are taken care of while in custody. She noted that once released, the PAC will work with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to provide accommodation, where necessary.Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said that the KNP is a national protected area and it is incumbent on the Government to send a strong message to those who are bent on breaking the law. The minister noted that only last year six operators were removed from the area.“Last year, we sent a team in and it was during that exercise that we even lost a member of the Guyana Police Force after the boat he was travelling capsized and yet we have persons returning to the Park and mining. The government must, therefore, send a strong message to the individuals because it is a national protected area and part of our national patrimony,” Trotman said.