Miners protest action in Kanawaruk… Tesouro Resources has exclusive rights to property – Manager

Mar 01, 2016 News

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Following the allegations made by small miners’ in Konawaruk, Region Eight, of being deprived of mining lands by Tesouro Resources, the Manager of the company revealed recently that the miners have been illegally operating since the company has exclusive rights to the property.
On Thursday last, several miners were involved in a protest action which resulted in the blocking of a road in Kanawaruk, Region Eight, where one man was arrested.
The protest action, according to one miner, stemmed from the unavailability of mining lands in the area since Tesouro Resources set up its operations.
Contributing to the move also, were the “failed” promises from the authorities over the years to have lands made available to them.
Another miner also made allegations that the company was depriving small, local miners of the little land they have available to work however, contrary to the miners’ accusations, the company issued a statement saying that the miners have no rights to the property and were “illegally” operating on Tesouro’s claim.
The statement, which had the name of the Manager, J.E Williams attached to it, stated that “raiding” has been an ongoing issue which saw the intervention of both officials from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
The release revealed that on February 18, a team led by Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Officer, Javy McIntosh, along with two policemen and Tesouro Security, went to North Fork to remove an “illegal” mining operation occurring on the property where the team encountered an additional two “illegal” operations, and these were issued Cease Work Order (CWO).
“Mr. McIntosh and team were unable to cause the illegal operation to cease raiding. The raiders were adamant that they will not move nor will they be removed, irrespective of who owns the mining property”.
During the operation, the raiders allegedly issued several threats in the presence of the police, which include, threats to kill the Chief Operations Officer (COO), Shaun ‘Dean’ Hassan and Head of Interior Security, Glendon Williams, the release stated.
“Additionally, there was a vehicle on the ground without number plates, at the time of the team’s visit. This was brought to the attention of the police, along with information that it was the said vehicle that attempted to run one of our pick-ups off the road while transporting the GGMC officer back to Mahdia on the evening of February 12. The foregoing was not addressed by the police.”
The foregoing threats, the release continued, represent a continuation of the “raiders’” attitude especially towards the company’s employees as the statement made reference to an incident which took place on February 12 where McIntosh, accompanied by Tesouro security, visited the same location twice and was met with “great hostility”.
On that occasion, the “raiders”, including Godfrey Wint, the individual who was arrested during the protest, reportedly threatened to burn all buildings in the company’s compound in Kanawaruk.
The company continued that these threats were captured on a video and was subsequently reported to the Mahdia police Station.
“The tape, offered as evidence, was not viewed by police Sergeant Small but who had advised that ‘a patrol’, which was in the Konawaruk at the time the report was made, would address the said issue.
“The police’s response was communicated to the Commander of ‘F’ Division, who advised that a copy of the video be made and sent to the police. Notwithstanding, the foregoing reports are still to be addressed.”
Raiding has been an ongoing challenge for their “security elements” for over twelve months where several joint operations between the GGMC and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have been previously planned and executed, which includes, GGMC/GPF support from Georgetown, and in several instances those operations were unsuccessful, the release stated.
“These failed outcomes beg the question as to whether the raiders were given prior notice of operations mounted out of Georgetown.”
“On Friday February 12, last, at 10:30 hours, a one-day picketing exercise was mounted by approximately 30 persons, just outside Tesouro Resources interior Headquarters, Konawaruk.
The majority of protestors were raiders but also included seven females and four children. The ‘raiders’, who operate out of Black Water and Mowasi, were encouraged by the Guyana Police Force to conclude their activity at approximately 18:30 hrs.”
The activity mounted by the ‘raiders’, the release stated, was seemingly intended to force Tesouro Resources into allowing them to “illegally” mine claims to which the latter has “exclusive rights”.
“The size of the protestors was approximately thirty. They were generally peaceful, with occasional chants ‘for Tesouro to go’ and that they ‘want land to work’. Two persons were observed videotaping our personnel and vehicles, as these exited or entered the camp.”
The stated intention of the raiders was to remain in protest mode throughout the night, and to this end a tarpaulin tent was constructed. However, the GPF at approximately 18:00 hrs engaged the protestors and advised that their actions would be better served in Georgetown.
There was initial reluctance but subsequently they dismantled their tent and departed about half an hour after.
“The reluctance of the raiders to cease their illegal operations and their aggressive posture has seemingly emboldened others to establish illegal mining operations. Our camp Administrator reported this morning Friday 2016-02-19 that three additional illegal operations are being ‘set up’ in North Fork. These are in addition to raiding also being done at Acourie.”
The current situation at North Fork threatens to further escalate if not addressed with a greater sense of urgency, the statement revealed, and the company’s “inability” to cause the miners removal, have encouraged others to move into the said area, and in the process will cause “enormous” damage to property and consequently “negatively” impact Tesouro operations”.
“More significantly, Tesouro Resources is extremely concerned over the threats made to ‘kill’ our personnel, and wishes for the said threats to be addressed expeditiously.
“The continued coordination between the GPF and GGMC is necessary but such joint action must be done in a timelier manner and in this regard, there must be a continuous GGMC presence at Mowasi.”
“Tesouro Resources stands ready to provide the necessary support to such initiative, in order to remove the scourge of raiding in the Konawaruk.”

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