US$$ millions in gold leaving Guyana daily from Marudi

Mar 28, 2026 News

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…APNU cites local reports, alleges smuggling

(Kaieteur News) – Opposition Members of Parliament have raised alarm over what they describe as the daily outflow of millions of US dollars in gold from the Marudi mining district, Region Nine, citing reports from residents during a recent visit.

Kaieteur News had reported that concerns were 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.

A delegation from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), including Dr. Terrence Campbell, Sharma Solomon, Saiku Andrews and Sherod Duncan, was on a visit to Regions Eight and Nine.

They reported that they were prevented from entering the Marudi Settlement by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

The MPs were reportedly denied entry despite not engaging in any illegal mining, environmental breaches or activities that would warrant restriction under the law. They contend that the move hindered their ability to carry out their parliamentary duties and engage constituents.

The party said the barrier to the settlement was initially open but was later closed and padlocked by authorities, effectively blocking the team from accessing the community. The opposition also criticised the GGMC’s decision to deny entry to elected officials, arguing that it raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the mining district.

While at the location, Dr. Campbell said residents provided troubling accounts of large-scale gold extraction allegedly taking place in the area. It was alleged that persons who own the mining rights in the area have engaged the Brazilians to mine for gold.

“What I want to come back to share is that in speaking with one of the residents in this neighborhood here, who briefed us on the fact that US $5 million dollars, US$5 million dollars in gold per day, is leaving smuggled out to this country. But he didn’t want us to take his picture, because he said the Brazilians, they don’t make joke…” he said.

Campbell further claimed that fear among residents is preventing them from speaking openly about the situation and alleged that foreign miners are operating with little restraint.

“This is what is going on. Guyanese are being threatened. Guyanese are living in fear of their lives because of what is taking place behind here.”

“I hold no brief for the Mohameds (Azruddin and Nazar), but we hustling to extradite the Mohameds, and we bring in the criminals here, to hurt this country of million US, dollars a day, US $5 million a day in gold, and we have our people scared.”

APNU has called the situation a violation of the rights of residents and an indication that authorities may be attempting to conceal activities in the area. Notably there has been no official response from GGMC or the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“We’ve seen pictures with these Brazilian criminals meeting with the members of the government. So, they obviously know what is going on, and they know that these people are criminals, and yet they are encouraging them to come and rape this country, rape this country, and threaten our people. This must stop you.”

APNU and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) had previously raised concerns about the convicted Brazilian miner 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 and him being photographed with senior government officials in Guyana.

During the March 14th meeting, SRDC was informed that Cataratas he is no longer there. 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. SRDC had reported 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.

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.

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.

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• Azruddin, gold, Guyana gold mining, Marudi, Marudi mining district

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