Rule and law must be upheld within mining districts – Raids will continue to target illegal mining

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Geology and Mines Commission is continuing with operation ‘El Dorado’ in a continuous effort to eliminate illegal mining and other illegal activities occurring within various mining districts.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Hon. Robert Persaud today made this comment responding to the recent incident in Marudi Mountain, Region Nine. He revealed that the investigations are ongoing and while the Ministry will not condone any excesses, the laws against illegal mining must be abided by.

He stated his Ministry will continue to address issues of illegal mining, not only in Marudi, but in other areas as well. In this regard, the Standard Operating Procedures and the relevant protocols have been established to ensure that people’s rights are also protected during such operations.

GGMC’s mandate has been to ensure that we enforce the regulations and that we comply with the laws and doing it in a lawful manner,” the Minister said. However, the Ministry has and continues to receive reports of illegal activities in mining camps and on several occasions, the police discovered illegal weapons, which are being used by miners.

As such the Ministry has since enlisted the support of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association and other groups to tackle these illegal activities frontally.  Minister Persaud explained that millions of US dollars are lost every year as a result of illegal mining, which contribute to gold smuggling, deny the State of much-needed revenues, and hinder the overall development of the country.

Meanwhile, the Natural Resources and the Environment Minister affirmed that raids will continue in areas where there have been reports of illegal mining.

source   http://www.inewsguyana.com