Sixteen gold miners were charged in March with a range of offences under the Mining Act as part of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ ongoing crackdown on illegal mining.
According to a release, nine of the miners were charged with operating without a permit or licence; two were charged with operating an unregistered dredge; and five were charged with having a licensed dredge on a property without permission. All pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay various fines.
The miners appeared before the Bartica and Mahdia Magistrates’ Courts, corresponding to the locations where the ministry’s Corps of Wardens uncovered their operations.
As robust surveillance continues across all mining districts, the ministry is reminding stakeholders that those found in breach of Guyana’s mining laws and regulations will be dealt with without fear or favour.
Illegal mining not only drives environmental degradation and threatens public health and safety, but also undermines sustainable mining practices. The Ministry of Natural Resources is urging all operators to work with the relevant regulatory agencies by ensuring full compliance with the rule of law.
