(Kaieteur News) – The government of Guyana has confirmed it supports the continuation of mining operations by outside tenure holders in the Indigenous community of Chinese Landing, Region 1, directly contradicting assurances given to villagers as recently as November 2025 that restrictions would remain firmly in place.

The disclosure has deepened a long-running conflict between state-backed mining interests and the constitutionally protected land rights of the Carib community, with the Chinese Landing Village Council forcefully rejecting the government’s characterisation of the situation as cooperative.

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat told Kaieteur News that while general mining restrictions outside of recognised properties remain active, the administration is supporting operators who hold valid, state-issued tenures.