There is no mercury pollution of the Rupununi creeks

Feb 09, 2019 Letters

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Dear Editor,

I would be grateful for your indulgence in granting me, on behalf the Rupununi Miners’ Association, the time and space to respond to an article published in the Sunday Stabroek of 27th January, 2019 by the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) chairman, Nicholas Fredricks, titled “All the creeks are polluted. People have a lot more mercury in their system.”
I found it strange that the waterways would have been polluted with “more mercury” when most of these waterways are either dried up or stagnant due to the prevailing dry season which the region is currently experiencing to the point of vast savannah fires.
While it is a fact that permission was granted by officials of the ROMANEX COMPANY for the small traditional miners of the Marudi area to mine the Mazo mountain for the purpose of crushing, as a means of recovery, it was agreed upon that excavators would be used to eliminate the need for persons to enter tunnels and other unsafe practices to the point that the so called bag men would be provided with stuff free of cost.
As a matter of fact, I, as President of the Rupununi Miners’ Association, and from my personal stand point, was adamant that safety must be the main focus when this activity recommenced a few weeks ago.
It must be noted that no alluvial mining (land dredging) has been taking place in that area mainly due to the issue of limited water and its unprofitability as compared to crushing which requires far less water, hence supposed downstream pollution.
With the crushers that are operating, the washings are directed into mined out pits so as to avoid contamination of the waterways as well as contributing to reclamations of the land.
In fact, the main activity up to a few days ago focused mainly on stockpiling material as less than half of the crushers are functioning while other operators are now in the process of getting their crushers operable.
On the issue of “socially and environmentally, it is impacting of life of the surrounding communities,” I would have to agree with him. Why so? I have witnessed many residents of the surrounding villages/communities in their numbers happily and assiduously participating in the very activities of which he is critical, which are of benefit to the very communities and residents.
Also evident was the constant shuttling of food produce e.g. beef and farine provided from the surrounding communities to the various camps and shops. This activity came to a virtual standstill over the past few years.
I also noted that members of the very surrounding communities are actively involved with the construction of camps and other infrastructure employed by the very business persons from Lethem and afar.
It is troubling that Mr. Fredricks would refer to Marudi as a “hell hole,” as there is a well developed landing area with proper water and sanitary facilities far superior to many other mining areas in Guyana. Also, Mr. Editor, we as members of the Marudi mining community can boast that there is an almost zero crime rate. This includes other illegal activities known to other mining areas.
So once again, we are baffled with reference to the peace and tranquility of Marudi, even at present and before being deemed a “hell hole!” There has always been a harmonious and cohesive coexistence amongst the Marudi mining community over the decades, regardless of geographical or ethnic origins.
It is a given that Guyana consists of six races with land area of 83,000 sq miles hence, every Guyanese regardless of social standing, geographical origin or ethnic origins is deemed Guyanese.
Every Guyanese has a moral and legal right to earn an honest living as long as it is done within the parameters of the law, the environment and with respect to others.
Having stated the above, I would like to use this forum to share the vision of the Rupununi Miners’ Association as to the way forward.
It is the intention of the Rupununi Miners’ Association to have the relevant government agencies provide guidance, supervision and training to our members as it relates to proper mining practices, occupational health and safety, social protection and its related laws as well as Environmental issues. Also, a system of accountability as it relates to the gold produced and the sale of the same.
It is also our intention to have the various law enforcement entities integrated within the activities of the Rupununi Miners’ Association for all the obvious reasons.
It is also the intention of the Rupununi Miners’ Association to institute an administrative structure in order to have its functions and operations organized in an orderly manner.
It must be stated at this point that the Rupununi Miners’ Association was in negotiation with the relevant authorities was early as September 2018 to bring to fruition the situation which commenced a few weeks ago.
It so happened that the Romanex Company took the initiative to jump start the process and for that we of the Rupununi Miners’ Association are most grateful. This must be stated as our detractors would want people to believe that this turn of events came about due to recent prevailing political situation.
It is my personal wish, and that of the body I represent, the Rupununi Miners’ Association, that all stakeholders, especially the SRDC will all work harmoniously towards the development and betterment of our communities, peoples and nation.
Please permit me to advise Bro. Fredericks to revisit the story about the little boy that cried wolf.

Regards,
Marlon Johnson,
President,
Rupununi Miners’ Association

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