Latest update April 16th, 2026 12:40 AM
Convicted Brazilian mining kingpin sparks alarm in Rupununi
…was seen with top govt. officials before exit
(Kaieteur News) – Concerns have been raised over the presence of a convicted Brazilian miner in the Marudi mining district.
During a recent meeting convened by the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) and key stakeholders, the issue of Brazilian miners in the Rupununi, particularly Rodrigo Martins de Mello, also known as Rodrigo Cataratas, was spotlighted and assurance was given that the miner is no longer operating in the area.
The concerns were heightened by social media images showing Cataratas, in the company of senior government officials here.
In a statement on Tuesday, the SRDC said the matter was addressed directly with miners, who acknowledged that Cataratas was indeed present in the Marudi area. However, the miners have since assured the Council that he is no longer there.
A section of the gathering at the recent meeting hosted by the SRDC.
According to a February 12, 2026 report by Mongabay, a Brazilian federal court sentenced Mello/ Cataratas to more than 22 years in prison after finding him guilty of leading an illegal mining operation in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory in the Amazon Rainforest.
He was convicted on charges including leading a criminal organisation, money laundering, and illegal mining on protected Indigenous land. The court also ordered him to pay more than 31.7 million reais (US$6.1 million) in damages for environmental destruction and harm caused to Indigenous communities.
Opposition parties, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), had also raised concerns about the miner’s reported presence in the Marudi district. Concerns were raised regarding Cataratas being allowed to operate in Guyana’s mining industry despite his conviction in Brazil.
Court documents cited by Mongabay indicate that Mello managed a fleet of at least 23 aircraft used to transport miners, fuel, and supplies into Indigenous lands, as well as to move extracted minerals.
Meanwhile, the SRDC said the recent meeting included representatives from the Rupununi Miners Association (RMA), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Discussions focused on mining activities in Marudi and their impact on surrounding communities.
Toshaos at the meeting expressed serious concern about criminal mining activities on Indigenous lands in other jurisdictions, particularly Brazil, and stressed that such conduct would not be tolerated in the South Rupununi.
Further, it was also noted that Brazilians currently involved in operations in the area are mainly technical personnel supporting specialised functions, such as operating heavy-duty machinery. Emphasis was placed on the need for skills transfer and building local capacity.
Additionally, the Toshaos raised concerns about the 10 percent community benefit outlined in existing agreements. SRDC said that while no definitive response was provided, the issue will remain a priority for further discussion at the next engagement.
The meeting also examined the national gold declaration system. Representatives from the Guyana Gold Board indicated that while approximately 80 percent of gold production is captured, uncertainty remains about the remaining 20 percent. The matter is expected to be further reviewed as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the sector.
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Guyanese cannot do mining in those foreign countries so, it is only just to have
this convict evicted from our country.