A question arises

May 08, 2013 Letters

Dear Editor,
Now that the Wapishiana people of the South Rupununi got their wish of calling off the mining lottery around Marudi Mountains, another question has arisen about what will happen to those persons who won blocks in the same area from the lottery which was already completely?
Over one hundred winners, mostly Rupununi people, are waiting to see how this portion of the lottery will play out. It would be most callous and uncaring – and possibly illegal- of the Minister of Natural Resources if he is to cancel the blocks already won by these people, as many people are already saying.
Many people chose Marudi Mountains because of its known mineral potential. If GGMC, as it usually does, offers alternative areas as an option to the lottery winners then one hopes that area is on par to the areas that the winners are being asked to relinquish.
Anything otherwise would be a disservice to those people who took up GGMC’s offer and acquired lands and may already have begun investing in equipment to mine the lands.
There is also the case where GGMC stipulated that payments for the mining blocks have to be completed within a specified time frame so many people are already in the process of commencing these payments and even undertaking expense to locate and prospect their blocks.
Many of these people are now uncertain of their future so it is very important that GGMC or the Ministry of Natural Resources offers a public release as early as possible on the status of the blocks already won.
It is hoped that our Minister of Natural Resources is just as respectful of the rights and interests of the persons who legally won mining blocks in Marudi as he was for the Waspishianas of the South Rupununi and offer a solution which is acceptable to everyone.
J. Nelson

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News