GGMC allowed other miners access to Parish Peak area – Syndicate

…despite Ministry’s announcement that area is off limits for mining

In an apparent face-off, the National Mining Syndicate and the Natural Resources Ministry have drawn sharp lines of division over the Parish Peak, Upper Berbice mining area.

According to the Syndicate, the Ministry’s statements that the area is restricted are untrue.

In a statement from Renwick Solomon, head of the 14 mile Issano Syndicate, he

noted that the area actually had more than 90 mining operations that were allowed to work with Ministry oversight. Since miners from the Syndicate just want an equal chance to mine, he noted that it was disheartening for the Ministry to say that the area was off limits when it was aware of the other operators.

“The past five years, perhaps longer, has seen active and unrestricted mining in the Parish Peak area. The National Mining Syndicate has a deep appreciation for the efforts being made by the Administration to preserve the country’s biodiversity.

“In fact, there are over 90 active mining properties operating in the Parish Peak area and moreover, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have full oversight of these operations.”

However, the Syndicate noted that it believed that a principled and fair decision must be taken to ensure that anyone seeking mining opportunities was treated equally. It stated that while the Ministry was reasoning that the area was designated as a GGMC reservation, officials still allowed miners to acquire land there.

“We find it unfair that the Ministry would use the reasoning that the area is a GGMC Reserved Area, one that was held by Goldstone Resources Limited in 1999 and is important for biodiversity given that the Upper Berbice River comprises pristine lowland forests containing diverse and abundant wildlife, but yet allow persons to acquire land to mine in the area.”

In its statement last week, the Ministry had noted the concerns being raised by the Berbice mining syndicate about a lack of access to the area. The Ministry recalled that at a meeting with various syndicates on March 29, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had informed the Syndicate that the area was off limits.

According to the Ministry, this is because of environmental and forest certification considerations, which have to be assessed before miners can be allowed to mine in the area. It stated that the area in question was a GGMC Reserved Area.

“A Biodiversity Assessment Team (BAT) Survey in 2014 had determined that the area is important for biodiversity. The Report has recommended stringent monitoring by the relevant regulatory agencies including the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).”

The Ministry added that a collaborative effort with local residents and relevant communities to ensure compliance with Guyana’s regulations and laws was also recommended. This, it stated, is to prevent overharvesting and the removal of protected/prohibited species.

“It has also been recommended that local stakeholders must be incorporated in decision-making, management and monitoring of the area since they have the best local knowledge, and that the use of the main access road must be monitored.” “Measures must also be taken to prohibit unauthorised activities and regulate wildlife harvesting according to the 2013 Guyana Wildlife Management and Conservation regulations.”

Efforts to contact the Natural Resources Minister were futile.