No adverse effects from mining operations on biodiversity – Guyana Goldfields

…says strict no hunting policies may be providing refuge for species

By Jarryl Bryan

Guyana Goldfields maintains that not only does it practice land reclamation, but it’s strictly enforced no hunting zones may have unwittingly created safe zones for wildlife.

During a recent tour of the Aurora Gold Mines facilitated by the Canadian owned company, Sustainability Manager Jermaine Critchlow explained that they have a biodiversity monitoring programme as well as research into what effect they are actually having on the environment.
Critchlow explained that the company sets up cameras around the mining operation, which are specifically placed for capturing video and images of the different wildlife ranging from birds and ant eaters to snakes and big cats, as they interact in their natural habitat.
“The idea here is to monitor the activities of animals. Ensure we don’t affect them, they’re not moving away. And so far, our research shows that since 2016 we have not had a negative impact on the biodiversity in the area. They’re there and some of these pictures will show it,” Critchlow said, displaying images of several animals captured by biodiversity cameras.

“But we also need to compare it to an area that we’re not mining and we’re not active. So far, the results have shown promising. The mining is not affecting the biodiversity in the area. We also do bird surveys, to ensure we don’t affect the avian species in and around the area.”

Refugium
Critchlow also explained the concept of refugium, a natural phenomenon in which a once widespread animal population flourishes in a particular habitat with qualities that support their presence. At this point, Critchlow showed a video of several wild Otters swimming in water not far away from the mining operation.
“Refugia, basically means (on) our concession, we enforce strict no hunting, no fishing policies. Would that encourage biodiversity to increase in the area? We still have to do studies to prove this,” Critchlow said.
“That’s a giant otter. In 2009, we did a study. And we had none of these species occurring in the area from our studies. But now they are in the area. We don’t know if they’re just passing through or if they want to make it home. But this just shows that biodiversity is coming in. And because our environmental footprint is small, we’re not negatively affecting the environment.”
It was also revealed that a group of Capybaras, the world’s largest living rodent, has actually made waterways within the mining range their home. Critchlow also noted the importance of land reclamation, which is replanting vegetation and rehabilitating mined out areas.
“Monitoring is very key. Because we’re a 24 /7 operation, we have to keep monitoring. We need to take cognizance of the area that we’re in and respect our bio diversity and ensure we don’t negatively impact our biodiversity in this area.”
“Water quality is very key to us. We need to manage our waste properly and ensure we do land reclamation,” Critchlow said. “By doing all of this, we tie into the green state development strategy of the country.”
According to the company, it has so far reclaimed and re-vegetated 85 hectares of land. In addition, it is understood that it is developing potential green renewable energy options such as solar.
The company says it is also investigating waste disposal options with an eye to the future. Already, it employs an integrated approach of reduce, reuse and recycle, to waste disposal. It is also subject to compliance inspections, while it does its own monitoring.
At present, the company is looking to go into new territory in the form of underground mining. It has already secured clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency. Final clearance has to come from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.