Latest update September 20th, 2026 10:40 AM
Gold, two dredges seized in Puruni illegal mining crackdown
…three arrested by police
(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has seized two water dredges and a quantity of gold during a crackdown on an illegal mining operation along the Puruni River.
The operation was conducted on September 17 by the GGMC’s Enforcement Department, with support from the Guyana Police Force, as authorities stepped up enforcement against mining activities being conducted within the river’s buffer zone.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, three persons associated with the operation were escorted by police to Puruni Landing, where investigations are continuing.
One of the dredges positioned in the Puruni River.
The latest seizure comes as authorities intensify efforts to curb mining operations that breach Guyana’s mining laws and regulations. The ministry reminded miners and other stakeholders that they are required to comply with the country’s mining laws and regulations. The ministry said the GGMC, working in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, will continue enforcement activities against illegal mining operations.
Only last week, four non-nationals were arrested and a cache of mining equipment seized as authorities widen their crackdown on illegal mining operations in the Potaro Mining District. The Ministry of Natural Resources said that after an illegal mining operation in the Potaro Mining District had been dismantled, resulting in the detention of five non-nationals, an extended sweep of the area was conducted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s (GGMC) Corps of Wardens. These officers discovered additional miners, including four more non-nationals, along with excavators and trucks that had been concealed in the surrounding jungle. Dredges, generators, water pumps, metal detectors and other mining equipment were also seized.
Gold seized from the illegal operation.
Some of the equipment found during an extended sweep of an illegal mining camp in the Potaro Mining District. The foreigners were detained by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The Ministry said it will continue surveillance and enforcement activities across all mining districts through the GGMC in collaboration with law enforcement agencies. It noted that all non-nationals previously apprehended for involvement in illegal mining activities are being deported.
In December last year, the GoG 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. Since then, a number of illegal mining camps have been discovered and destroyed. Those operations mostly involved non-nationals who are being deported according to official reports from government.
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