Chinese Landing Residents Block Mining Equipment Amid Land Dispute

Residents of Chinese Landing, an Indigenous community in Guyana’s Region One, have blocked heavy mining equipment from entering their titled lands, reviving a yearslong dispute over mining rights and the government’s responsibility to protect the community.

The standoff at Tassawini has continued as residents maintain a round-the-clock presence at the entrance to the backdam. The Chinese Landing-Tassawini Village Council said at least nine excavators, two bulldozers and several dredge engines had recently been transported into the community without its knowledge or consent.

Residents subsequently prevented four additional excavators and a bulldozer from proceeding into Tassawini.