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Five foreigners busted at Potaro for illegal mining
(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has detained five non-nationals, including Venezuelans following the discovery of an illegal mining operation in the Potaro mining district.
Several pieces of mining equipment and a quantity of gold were also seized during the operation, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR).
A joint investigation is being conducted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s (GGMC) Corps of Wardens and the GPF. The ministry reiterated its no tolerance for illegal mining. It said, “All miners and other stakeholders are reminded that they are required to obtain the necessary permissions and ensure their operations comply fully with Guyana’s mining and environmental laws.”
Further, MNR indicated that it will continue surveillance and enforcement activities across all mining districts through the GGMC and law enforcement agencies warning that those found operating outside the law will face the full consequences.
To date a number of non-nationals engaged in illegal mining activities have been deported.
Just over two weeks ago, it was reported that six persons including a Chinese national and five Brazilians were arrested for illegal mining in one of Guyana’s mining districts. At the time, MNR revealed that the individuals were found operating an underground mining operation through a shaft without the required approval. The illegal miners were detained through the joint efforts of the GGMC Corps of Wardens and the Guyana Police Force.
Police ranks and GGMC officers inspecting items found during the crackdown on illegal mining at Potaro
In June, six illegal operations within the Mazaruni Mining District in Region Seven were shut down by the GGMC. According to a statement, the six illegal mining sites were operating within a quarry area, and 38 persons were arrested. Several pieces of equipment and machinery were also seized.
In March another batch of non-nationals were caught in illegal mining by enforcement bodies.
This newspaper reported that a GGMC mining officer along with police ranks conducted an exercise at Kumung Kumung along the Puruni River during which six Brazilian nationals and one Venezuelan national were found working illegally.
Following the operation, the GGMC instituted several charges against the land owners. These charges are as follows: breaching the buffer area of the river bank, diverting or altering the natural flow of the river, operating without a licence or permit, operating without permission to mine, unable to produce a production book or any form of declaration, employing workers without work permits or certificates of registration, unable to produce a register of labourers and unable to produce a register of poisonous substances.
The foreign nationals were escorted to the Bartica Police Station for processing while an excavator, dragger and other equipment used in the illegal operations were placed in the State’s possession.
In December last year, the Government of Guyana announced the rollout of a series of enhanced measures aimed at addressing reduced gold declarations.
During a high-level meeting held on December 10, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat emphasised the Government of Guyana’s commitment to ensuring that Guyana’s mineral resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with the law. He reminded that since 2020, the Government has delivered unprecedented technical, financial and regulatory support to the sector and its stakeholders. The minister also noted that government has made significant enhancements to the sector’s guiding regulations, as well as supporting compulsory training for miners.
Following discussions, the meeting agreed on a series of enhanced enforcement measures to be rolled out immediately. Among them were tighter oversight of gold dealers and traders. The ministry vowed to intensify regulatory scrutiny of all licensed dealers, including stricter audits of purchasing records, verification of source declarations and routine compliance checks. Notably, dealers found facilitating undeclared transactions or failing to meet reporting obligations could face sanctions, including suspension or revocation of licences. The ministry also revealed plans to significantly scale-up field monitoring and enforcement operations across mining districts to target unauthorised activities and ensure compliance with environmental, safety and production reporting requirements.
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