Latest update April 3rd, 2026 12:35 AM
Permission required for non-residents entering Marudi Mining District – Rupununi Miners Association
(Kaieteur News) – The Rupununi Miners Association (RMA) says access to the Marudi mining district is not restricted, but persons must comply with established entry requirements.
The association said Monday that, “…access to the Marudi Mines is not restricted. However, there are mandatory requirements that must be met.”
RMA explained that entry into the mining area is regulated through a checkpoint jointly manned by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF). According to the association, South Rupununi residents must first secure permission from their Village Councils.
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat.
“Residents of South Rupununi seeking access to the mines may obtain permission from their respective Village Councils, which must then be presented to the GGMC and GPF staff at the Bushmount checkpoint.” For other individuals or groups, the association said authorisation must be sought from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
It said Marudi remains an active mining zone with inherent risks, warning that safety protocols must be observed at all times. “Marudi is an active mining site where health and occupational safety are paramount. The mine site hosts heavy-duty machinery, scheduled truck routes, transportation of materials, and conditions that may include excessive dust exposure,” RMA said. It was also outlined that the district has maintained an accident-free record since October 2024, and efforts are ongoing to preserve that standard.
This statement comes days after APNU Members of Parliament complained about being denied entry to the Marudi area during a recent visit to the mining district.
APNU’s lead parliamentarian Dr. Terrence Campbell addresses allegations of gold smuggling from Marudi Village, Region Nine. Other MPs Saiku Andrews, Sherod Duncan and Sharma Solomon are in the background.
The APNU delegation including Dr. Terrence Campbell, Sharma Solomon, Saiku Andrews and Sherod Duncan, reported that entry into the Marudi Settlement was prevented by GGMC. They contend that the move hindered their ability to carry out their parliamentary duties and engage constituents. The MPs 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.
APNU had criticised the GGMC’s decision to deny entry to elected officials, noting that it raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the mining district.
APNU’s visit to the Marudi area came on the heels of concerns raised over the presence of a convicted Brazilian miner in the Marudi mining district. During a meeting convened on March 14 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.
Following their visit, the MPs raised alarm over what they describe as the daily outflow of millions of U.S. dollars in gold from the Marudi mining district, Region Nine, citing reports from residents.
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 neighbourhood here, who briefed us on the fact that U.S. $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 millions of U.S. dollars a day, U.S. $5 million a day in gold, and we have our people scared,” he lamented.
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