Iwokrama, NRSSB ink joint communique on illegal gold mining

– renewed commitment to co-manage protected areas

Some 21 indigenous communities and Iwokrama recently inked a joint communique to curb illegal gold mining in the Protected Area – an issue that remains a challenge in the Siparuni area.
Chairperson of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB), Mike Williams along with the leadership strongly condemned any form of illegal gold mining within Iwokrama. Unfortunately, this practice has seen the participation of some errant community members along with other Guyanese, Venezuelans and Brazilians.
However, the communique condemns these illegal operations; ensuring that members of the communities understand that gold mining is illegal in the Iwokrama Forest and that supplying these illegal operations with materials and supplies is also illegal; working together on a comprehensive monitoring programme with Iwokrama that will include communication and reporting mechanisms amongst each other and report on any suspicious activities in and around their communities and the Iwokrama Forest.

The communique stated that it is grateful for the Government’s support in eradicating this major problem and will continue to engage the relevant stakeholders.
This joint communique comes as the Indigenous community leaders and Iwokrama renewed their commitment to the active co-management of the Iwokrama Forest.
The signed Collaborative Management Agreement (CMA) sets out a framework under which the Iwokrama Forest is managed collaboratively between the Iwokrama International Centre and the communities (represented by NRDDB), to promote conservation, sustainable, and equitable use of the Programme Site.
In keeping with the mandate of Iwokrama, the Centre’s monitoring team, together with the regulatory institutions in Guyana and NRDDB, will increase monitoring and targeted enforcement activities within the environs of the Iwokrama Forest. Furthermore, the Centre will rigorously enforce the prescribed penalties under the Iwokrama Act and other laws of Guyana against any person(s) found illegally operating in the Iwokrama Forest.

The two parties have also agreed to collaborate on a comprehensive monitoring programme with Iwokrama, including communication and reporting mechanisms to report any suspicious activities in and around their communities and the Iwokrama Forest.
In addition, the Iwokrama International Centre expressed its gratitude for the support in highlighting this ongoing issue. “We are grateful for the Government of Guyana’s support in eradicating this major problem and will continue to engage with and support the Government in its efforts to curb this activity,” the Centre stated.
Further, the Centre also reminds the public and other stakeholders that extractive activities are not allowed in the Iwokrama Forest unless the Centre grants express written permission.
The Centre stressed that no such activity should take place within or near the one-kilometre buffer zone area on the other side of the Siparuni River, as that buffer offers protection to the Iwokrama Forest.

In light of concerns regarding attempts to access other areas, the Centre reiterates that no access will be permitted through the Iwokrama Forest to any mining or forestry land claims.
In recent months, several enforcement activities led by Government regulatory agencies have been undertaken to curb these illegal activities, resulting in several arrests and equipment seizures.
Iwokrama acknowledges that collaboration is essential to targeting such illegal activities and is grateful for the continued support from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the GGMC, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Protected Areas Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Iwokrama has hosted an NRDDB meeting at the Iwokrama River Lodge annually since 2022. The Iwokrama Forest is also certified under an international forest certification scheme.