Operations closed, gold seized as part of Govt’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal mining

…“This crackdown is just the beginning,” MNR warns

As part of a zero-tolerance policy against mining operations that have failed to meet their statutory obligations, the Guyana Government has shut down a number of operations, seized minerals, and initiated legal proceedings against the offenders.

In a statement on Thursday, the Natural Resources Ministry said it is working in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to roll out this zero-tolerance policy.
According to the Ministry, recent observations highlighted that several mining operations are functioning unlawfully, without the necessary statutory instruments.
Consequently, the Ministry indicated that as of Thursday, January 15, 2026, “…authorities have seized a number of operations, detained minerals, and initiated legal proceedings against the offenders.”
“This crackdown is just the beginning,” it further cautioned, adding that the Government intends to extend these operations nationwide to address illegal and illicit activities within the small- and medium-scale gold mining sector.
This enforcement of the zero-tolerance policy is in line with the recent directive from President Dr Irfaan Ali to take decisive action against operations that lack the necessary licences and approvals from the GGMC Commissioner to operate.
It was noted that this initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to enforcing compliance and ensuring the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources.
“We are committed to safeguarding our natural resources and ensuring that all mining operations adhere to the laws of the land,” President Ali stated. “This zero-tolerance approach is essential for promoting a fair and sustainable mining industry in Guyana.”
Against this backdrop, the Natural Resources Ministry is urging all miners to comply with statutory obligations and operate within the legal framework to avoid severe penalties.
In recent months, there has been a renewed drive by local mining authorities to curb illegal gold trade and streamline the mining sector to strengthen accountability, environmental protection and production compliance.
During a high-level meeting earlier this month, the Guyanese Head of State had ordered that all registered dredges with no declaration be deregistered and all foreign miners operating illegally in Guyana be identified for prosecution and expulsion.
This was after it was reported that some Brazilian miners operating in Guyana have had very low or no declarations. Those miners were given 24 hours to comply fully with the laws of Guyana and the requirement to declare to the Guyana Gold Board.
Following the Head of State’s directives on January 2, the Natural Resources Ministry carried out a joint operation with the Police Force in Georgetown during which undocumented individuals were processed, gold was seized and persons of interest were verified.
In fact, the Commission has suspended the operations of over 100 Brazilian nationals who operate here and failed to get processed and verify their information during the recent exercise.
According to the GGMC in a public notice on January 5, “Such suspension takes effect immediately and shall remain in force pending the affected persons’ engagement with, and compliance to the satisfaction of, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.”
Meanwhile, the Natural Resources Ministry has also teamed up with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) to ensure all miners in every category operating in Guyana are not only registered with the Ministry but also have a local bank account.
In fact, GGDMA President Ronaldo Alphonso has since urged the mining public to be compliant and to sell their gold to legitimate sources to sustain the mining sector for generations to come.
“It is our responsibility as miners to ensure the sustainability of the industry. We need to make it compliant, and we need to declare gold. Make 2026 the year of compliance and declaration,” Alphonso had noted after the January 2 meeting with the Guyanese leader.
The GGDMA’s commitment to supporting the Government’s crackdown on illegal operations was further reflected in a subsequent call last weekend for miners to operate in the best interest of the sector by strictly adhering to the regulations in place.
Managing Director of the GGDMA, Avalon Jagnandan, said that the body remains committed to the sustainability and growth of the local mining sector, noting that they are actively pushing for increased production/declarations.
In a statement from the Association on Saturday last, Jagnandan reminded miners that “strict adherence to the mining regulations must become the norm” while repeating the GGDMA’s call for miners to sell their gold only to legitimate buyers and the Guyana Gold Board.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Vice President of the GGDMA, Dabria Marcus, who also urged miners to “operate in the best interest of the country by becoming fully compliant and declaring all their production”. He also called on all miners to join the association, noting that the association is for all miners.