Effective immediately, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is advising miners that all mining activities on river banks and permits for such mining have been rescinded until further notice.
An aerial view of river mining
According to a notice in a local newspaper on Saturday, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman issued policy directives as a result of which protocols in relation to the application for consideration and granting of permission are being reviewed.
“Consequently, all ‘permissions’ previously granted to breach river banks (buffer zones) for access to claims or mining permits or for prospecting, mining and quarrying operations are rescinded with immediate effect until further notice,” the notice stated.
Furthermore, the GGMC publication reminded that mining of river banks is against the law. “Any breach of river banks (buffer zones) for access to claims or mining permits, or for prospecting, mining and quarrying operations require specific permission from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission,” while adding “as such there should be no mining or excavation of the river banks (buffer zones) without due consideration of, and specific permission from the Commission”. Over the years GGMC has been trying to curb mining activities on river banks as such activities destroy the banks and cause overflows.
Four years ago the Commission stopped issuing river claims saying it was overwhelmed by reports of the damage irresponsible mining is doing to the environment. However, Government was forced to lift the ban after coming under pressure from the mining community.
