Mining equipment seized as MNR cracks down on illegal discharge of waste materials

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), earlier this week seized over a dozen pieces of mining equipment as part of ongoing efforts to curb the illegal discharge of waste materials at the Walabaka Basin in the North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).
In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry said it was forced to take this enforcement action to address the continued illegal discharge of tailings (waste materials) by errant miners within the Walabaka Four Miles area in Mining District No. 5.
“The [GGMC] team has since taken the necessary enforcement action to remedy the situation. To date, more than 15 pieces of mining equipment, including engines, excavators, and pumps, have been seized. This enforcement exercise remains ongoing,” the MNR indicated on Saturday.
According to the missive, the Walabaka Basin has been a source of concern since late 2022 due to persistently high levels of turbidity, commonly referred to as muddy water, resulting from mining activity within the area.
Over the past several months, however, the Mines Technical and Environmental departments of the GGMC have been working with operators to improve the containment of tailings and prevent the release of sediment-laden water into nearby waterways.
But despite these interventions, the Ministry said some errant miners continued to directly discharge tailings and release turbid water from holding ponds into the Walabaka Creek. This, it noted, has had a direct impact on Pump Creek, where the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) pumps water for treatment and distribution to residents of Port Kaituma.
Against this backdrop, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, along with Housing Minister Collin Croal, visited the area and issued a stern warning to miners who were contributing to the pollution.
It was noted that the miners were given two weeks to bring their operations into compliance and were clearly advised that failure to take corrective action would result in consequences.
“Despite this caution, the reckless discharge continued,” the Natural Resources Ministry stated, adding that the situation caused hundreds of residents in Port Kaituma to be affected by GWI’s inability to supply water due to the high levels of turbidity caused by irresponsible miners.
In response, the GGMC enforcement team, supported by members of the Guyana Police Force, was deployed to the Walabaka area on May 4 to take the necessary enforcement action.
Nevertheless, the MNR has made it clear that while mining remains an important pillar of Guyana’s economy, it must be conducted responsibly and in full compliance with the law.
“Operators are required to take all necessary steps to prevent environmental damage, protect water sources, and safeguard the health and well-being of communities. The Ministry, through the GGMC, will continue to monitor the Walabaka drainage basin and other mining areas across the country to ensure compliance with environmental and mining regulations. Operators who continue to act in disregard of the law will be held accountable,” Saturday’s statement detailed.
Moreover, the Ministry went on to assure residents of Port Kaituma and surrounding communities that their concerns are being treated with urgency. It further reiterated that the Guyanese Government remains committed to ensuring that mining development does not come at the expense of public health, clean water access, or environmental protection.
In recent months, the Government has been aggressively working to streamline the rapidly expanding mining sector with increased environmental regulations, enforcement actions against illegal operators, and pushing for more sustainable practices in the sector.
Just last month, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Yang Yang had underscored the importance of the mining industry moving away from traditional practices towards a more environmentally friendly method.
She made these remarks during the recent commissioning of the 49.4-megawatt (MW) Aurora Solar Farm at the Aurora Gold Mine site in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on April 8.
According to Ambassador Yang, this project marks a solid step forward for Aurora toward low-carbon transformation and green mining development.
“Green mining is, above all, about changing the way development is pursued. Modern mining must move away from the old model of high consumption and high emissions. It must strive for resource conservation, environmental protection, and long-term sustainability. A modern mine should create not only economic value but also environmental value and social value,” the Chinese diplomat contended.
Meanwhile, later, the Iwokrama International Centre announced that three foreign nationals were fined under the GGMC Act and sentenced to five months’ imprisonment each for illegal mining activities.
The two Brazilian and one Venezuelan nationals were arrested last December after being caught red-handed operating illegal gold mining operations in the Iwokrama Forest Protected Area.
They were sentenced on April 16.