Illegal mining operation found, destroyed in South Rupununi
Earlier in the week, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), unearthed a massive illegal mining operation in the New River Basin, South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
According to the GDF, the team located the camp and discovered three tunnels, one of which was abandoned, while the others were deemed active. The team also discovered several pieces of equipment, including a satellite dish. No one was at the camp at that time.
Entrance to one of the tunnels
The GDF noted that owing to the location’s remoteness, seizure of the equipment was not feasible, so it was subsequently destroyed.
Investigators believe that the persons who were conducting the mining operations may have been utilising an illegal airstrip in Brazil, located some two miles south of the Guyana-Brazil border.
The New River Basin is designated as a Rare Earth Mineral Reserve, and as such, mining is strictly prohibited in the area.
Recently, the Iwokrama International Centre disclosed that it would be mulling the use of cameras and drones to manage the protected rainforest as illegal activities increase within the area.
An aerial view of the illegal mining operation
In a statement, the rainforest conservation body indicated that there was a proliferation of single-person operations. These operations appear to use metal detectors and spades.
Discoveries were made of “several four-inch dredges and substantive destruction to the forest floor”.
According to the Centre, persons were taking advantage of the COVID-19 situation to carry out these illegal activities. Persons guilty of any illegal related practices can be fined $100,000 or face imprisonment for a period of one year.
