Dredge, vehicle, equipment seized; 3 detained in illegal mining crackdown

Three miners, including two non-nationals, have been detained in connection with illegal mining along the Siparuni Riverbank, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s (GGMC) Enforcement Team found that machinery had been placed on the riverbank and a river dredge directed into it to extract minerals. The operation damaged the riverbank, and the team is assessing the extent of the damage.

According to GGMC, its team seized the river dredge and associated equipment, including a motor vehicle. The matter has been handed over to the Guyana Police Force for further investigation.
In a statement on Tuesday, GGMC said that the miner responsible for the operation will be required to account for the gold mined in the area, as well as cover the reclamation costs for the damaged site.
The ministry reiterated that mining must be conducted in accordance with the required approvals and environmental safeguards. Operators will be held accountable for illegal activities and the rehabilitation of areas damaged by their operations.
Only on Tuesday, the Guyana Times reported that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) had suspended the operations of a shop at Tamakay Landing in the Mazaruni Mining District, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), after it was found trading gold without the required approvals and licences.
According to the Natural Resources Ministry, the GGMC Enforcement Team conducted the operation on Monday, during which a quantity of gold, equipment and cash were seized. Two persons were detained by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as investigations continue.
The ministry said the enforcement action is part of its ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining and related activities across the country’s mining districts.
Two water dredges and a quantity of gold were seized following the discovery and dismantling of yet another illegal mining operation about a week ago, this time along the Puruni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The Natural Resources Ministry, in a statement on Saturday last, said the exercise was conducted by the Enforcement Department of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), with support from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), on Thursday.
Illegal mining in Guyana is governed by the Mining Act (Cap. 65:01) and enforced through measures by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
All miners and operators must secure official titles, permits and regulatory approval from the GGMC before starting any extraction or trade. Operating unlicensed gold shops or undocumented mining pits violates Guyana’s law.
The ministry had reported that nine people were arrested, charged and prosecuted in January 2026 for breaches of Guyana’s mining laws.
The cases were heard in the Bartica, Mahdia and Linden Magistrates’ Courts, where the accused pleaded guilty and were fined for offences including mining without licences or permits, operating licensed dredges without authorisation, and using unregistered or unlicensed dredges.