APA calls for uranium project to be halted

Jul 02, 2026 News

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…flags lack of consultation with Indigenous communities, information on Reg.7 project

(Kaieteur News) – As concerns mount over the proposed Kurupung uranium project in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) has called for the project to be halted, citing the absence of public and community-level consultations and a lack of information about the project.

The project which carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium is being developed by Canada-based U92 Energy Corp. The company acquired the project which spans across 92.2 square kilometres of mining lands, earlier this year following its acquisition of a Singaporean firm LIA Industries Pte. Ltd.

Since acquiring the project, U92 has already finalised a commercial agreement for a Phase One 5,000-metre diamond drilling programme and submitted the required environmental application for drill pad preparation.

In a statement this week, APA stressed that uranium exploration presents significant risks and lacks Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) with the Indigenous Peoples whose lands, livelihoods and future are now under threat. It called on government and U92 to uphold the principles of FPIC as established under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

APA reiterated its firm opposition to any uranium exploration, mining or development activities in Region Seven, stating, “This position is grounded in decades of decisions and deliberations made by the leaders and peoples of the Mazaruni, who have consistently rejected uranium development on their traditional lands.”

No Consultation 

According to the APA, the Kurupung area forms part of the traditional lands of the Kapohn and Pemon Peoples, with communities such as Isseneru among those most that can be directly affected.

It stressed that meaningful consultation must begin immediately and must be led by the affected communities themselves. “To date, there have been no public or community-level consultations that would have allowed affected communities to understand the project, raise concerns or determine whether they consent to its development. This failure alone is sufficient grounds for halting the project and represents a violation of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the rights of Guyanese citizens to meaningful participation in decisions that affect their lives and environment,” APA said.

APA also criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the proposed uranium project and called it “deeply troubling.” It argued that Indigenous communities are left in the dark without being adequately informed about the nature of the project and potential impacts the project poses especially to the environment and their livelihood.

This publication reported that the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission granted LIA (Guyana) Inc., a private limited liability company in Guyana which was incorporated on 20^th March, 2023, the “exclusive right of occupation and exploration” through the issuance of two Exclusive Prospecting Licences (PLs) on 19^th April, 2024.

A January 2026 filing said exploration activities at the project site commenced in 2024. The prospecting licences permit the exploration of uranium, other radioactive minerals, and rare earth elements (REEs) for a period of three years ending 18^th April, 2027. The licences may be extended upon application for a maximum of two additional one-year periods, extending the term to 18^th April, 2029.

APA noted that history has shown that uranium extraction has disproportionately harmed Indigenous Peoples in countries such as the United States, Canada and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As such, it said Guyana should learn from those experiences rather than repeat them.

“Before any consideration is given to uranium development, the country must establish a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework that addresses the unique environmental, health and social risks associated with radioactive minerals,” APA said.

Notably, public disclosure on the Kurupung uranium project has largely come from U92’s filings and announcements.

Questions over company’s experience

APA also questioned U92 Energy Corp.’s capacity to undertake uranium exploration, pointing to its limited track record in the sector.

Kaieteur News reported that the Kurupung uranium project is listed as U92’s only project. The filing seen by this publication described U92 as an early-stage mineral exploration company with no production from any property, and consequently has no current operating income, cash flow, or revenues. Notably, U92 was incorporated under the Ontario Business Corporations Act (OBCA) on December 13, 2024 under the corporate name “U92 Corp.”. The registered and head office of U92 is located at 200 Bay Street, Suite 2800, Toronto, Ontario.

“We are equally concerned about U92 Energy Corp’s suitability and experience in undertaking uranium exploration, given its limited history in the sector. Our communities, like many Indigenous communities across Guyana, already understand the consequences of poorly regulated mining,” APA said.

Registering its concern over U92’s experience, the APA highlighted that across Region Seven, mining has degraded forests and waterways, while suspected mercury contamination continues to raise serious concerns about public health and environmental safety.

It noted that the protection of the Mazaruni River Basin is of national importance. The rivers that flow through the Middle Mazaruni sustain the livelihoods, health and culture of the Kapohn and Pemon Peoples before continuing into the Mazaruni and Essequibo rivers and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean.

“Existing mining has already caused river discolouration and raised concerns about impacts on ecosystems, fisheries and food security,” it said.

The organisation added that uranium exploration and mining have the potential to exacerbate these impacts, introducing additional environmental and health risks associated with radioactive materials that can persist for generations. It added that uranium tailings and radioactive runoff could create even more severe consequences, with contamination that may remain hazardous for centuries.

“Indigenous Peoples will be the first to experience these impacts, with women and children among those most vulnerable to the effects of radioactivity. Without a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), there is no basis upon which Indigenous communities or the wider Guyanese public can be assured that these risks can be safely managed,” APA added.

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• Amerindian Peoples Association, Kurupung uranium project, U92 Energy Corp., Uranium

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