Dredges, gold seized in crackdown on illegal mining operation along Puruni River

Two water dredges and a quantity of gold were seized following the discovery and dismantling of yet another illegal mining operation, this time along the Puruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The Natural Resources Ministry, in a statement on Saturday, stated that the exercise was conducted by the Enforcement Department of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) with support from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday last.

During the exercise, the Ministry related that the team focused on mining activities within the river’s buffer zone. Following the discovery of the illegal operation, three persons were arrested and taken to the Puruni Landing outpost, where they were interrogated. Earlier this month, several persons, including Venezuelan nationals, were detained following the discovery of an illegal mining operation in the Potaro mining district, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), continuing their crackdown on illegal mining. It was reported that on September 10, several Venezuelans and other non-nationals were arrested at the illegal mining operation, resulting in the seizure of several pieces of mining equipment and a quantity of gold. One day later, the Ministry stated that several other non-nationals were arrested nearby as law enforcement officers expanded their operations in the said area. During that operation, several excavators and trucks were discovered concealed in the surrounding jungle. Further, dredges, generators, water pumps, metal detectors and other mining equipment were also found and confiscated during the operation. “The Ministry reiterates that there will be no tolerance for illegal mining. All miners and other stakeholders are reminded that they are required to obtain the necessary permissions and ensure their operations comply fully with Guyana’s mining and environmental laws,” the Ministry of Natural Resources stated in a release.

Further, the Ministry added that through the GGMC and in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, they will continue surveillance and enforcement activities across all mining districts. Only a few weeks ago, five Brazilians and one Chinese national were detained after they were found conducting unauthorised mining activities within one of Guyana’s mining districts. Authorities found the individuals operating an underground mining operation through a shaft without the required approval. Any individual-Guyanese or foreign-found conducting mining activities in breach of Guyana’s laws and regulations will face the full force of the law. Compliance with the country’s mining laws is mandatory, and violations will be dealt with accordingly.