Lands released for Marudi Mountain gold miners

Jan 20, 2018 News

Minister Trotman (centre, with cap) visiting the Marudi Mountain area last year after complaints.

After weeks of uneasiness, Government believes that it has done enough to diffuse what has been an escalating situation.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, together with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, they have earmarked several blocks of mining lands for miners who are part of the South Rupununi Miners’ Association and former occupiers of Romanex Mining lands in Marudi, Region 9.

Of the blocks earmarked, some will be allocated to the Rupununi Miners’ Association while another is identified for administration by the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO) for its members who are operating in Mining District 6.

The new lands being made available are alongside the Romanex concession.

“Given the difficulties faced by a number of small miners after they were required to vacate the Romanex property, Minister of Natural Resources Honourable Raphael G.C. Trotman M.P. committed to working with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to find a long-term solution that would see the miners enjoying the use and benefits of their own concessions,” the ministry said yesterday.

The ministry also advised that miners should ensure they prospect before starting operations in order to make the venture cost-effective and prevent unnecessary damage to the environment. “The Ministry also stresses the need for the observance of sound environmental and mining practices including, land reclamation, to ensure that the lands can be used in an environmentally sustainable and beneficial manner during and after mining. Lastly, miners are reminded that the wellbeing of residents of surrounding communities is of utmost importance and should not be disturbed or affected by mining activities.”

The move to new lands is part of an agreed menu of measures to facilitate the smooth conduct of an ongoing Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in the area, which Romanex Guyana Exploration Limited is required by law to complete before full-fledged operations can commence.

In April 2016, the Government of Guyana through Minister Trotman intervened in a standoff between small miners from the Marudi Mountain area, representatives of indigenous communities and Romanex Guyana Exploration Limited, and facilitated a historic mediation process with the help of Major-General (Retired) Joe Singh.

The mediation resulted in all parties signing the ‘Mediation of the Marudi Mountain Mining Dispute Agreement’ that would guide future engagements to finalize a solution.

Minister Trotman plans to have a consultation with the relevant stakeholders, including, representatives of the South Rupununi indigenous communities, during the second week of February 2018, to receive further feedback with a view to guiding the process forward.

Miners have been complaining of having no way of earning a living, and accusing Romanex of frustrating them from mining.

The standoffs in recent years have led to police intervention in a tense situation for that Region Nine area.

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