Iwokrama Centre monitoring team shot at by illegal miners

…says miners taking advantage of COVID-19 situation; offers reward

The Iwokrama International Centre is offering a reward to persons who can assist in the arrest and successful prosecution of those engaged in illegal activities within its protected forest, after the discovery of illegal mining and fishing operations.

Last week, the Centre’s monitoring team, which included the Ministry of Natural Resources Corp of Wardens and Police, came under fire from miners who were engaged in the illegal operations within the Iwokrama protected forest and in the one kilometer buffer zone on the other side of the Siparuni River.

“Due to the unexpected nature of the operation the team found itself targetted by gun fire from miners who quickly scampered away into the forest. One arrest was made and the person is before the courts,” the statement said.

In a statement, the Iwokrama International Centre said that the intrusions of illegal mining operations are being perpetuated by individuals who are “taking advantage of the current restrictions and lockdown protocols established to combat the COVID-19”.

The Centre reminded that illegal activities conducted within the Iwokrama Reservation would be subject to the application of the law inclusive of penalties outlined in the Iwokrama Act.

“The Centre would like to once again remind the public and other stakeholders that these activities are not allowed in the Iwokrama Forest, unless the Centre gives express written permission for any of these activities to be undertaken,” the statement said.

The monitoring team also discovered significant damage and there were clear indications of preparations for further mining in the forest. The team also noted the burning of large trees, which the Centre said is no doubt to aid in felling to enhance mining activity.

Further, it was discovered that several persons fishing in the buffer zone of the Iwokrama Forest, some claiming to be engaged in sport fishing, However, large seines were found within the waterways in the Iwokrama protected area, even after being told by some of these fisherfolk that they had placed no seines in the area.

“In this regard, Iwokrama would like to remind fisherfolk that the protected area buffer also applies to them and commercial fishing is prohibited in the bufferzone as well,” Iwokrama said.

In September 2019, a miner was arrested for illegal mining in the Iwokrama forest and was placed before the courts. In May 2020, two ‘four inch’ dredges were found, although no one was apprehended.

“In the buffer zone, miners claimed, as they often do, that they did not realise that they were in the one Km buffer zone and that they received approval to be there following a deal with a miner that had claim at the location. In this case there was an excavator and small dredges working the area. They were given two days to remove from the area as there is absolutely NO MINING allowed in the buffer zone,” Iwokrama said noting that the Centre has spent enough time and resources on education and awareness relative to illegal activities.

Iwokrama said it will continue its zero-tolerance approach to illegal activities, especially gold mining and other illegal activities.

“With the recent support including the acquisition of the high-tech drone funded by ExxonMobil, monitoring and enforcement operations will be scaled up and the Minister of Natural Resources and the Guyana Police Force have given their full support towards stamping out these illegal activities,” Iwokrama said.

The Centre’s monitoring team together with the regulatory institutions in Guyana, including but not limited to the Ministry of Natural Resources Corps of Wardens, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Guyana Wildlife Management and Conservation Commission, Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency will continue to undertake regular monitoring and enforcement activities within the environs of the Iwokrama Forest. Further, the Centre will also be rigidly enforcing the prescribed penalties under the Iwokrama Act and other laws of Guyana to any person(s) found illegally operating in the Iwokrama Forest.

The Centre said it will also be following up on information it received on specific mining operators within the Iwokrama Forest and all convictions will be fully publicized.

“For further information on the management of the Iwokrama Forest and to report any illegal activities in the forest, please contact only Dr Raquel Thomas, Director Resource Management on rthomas@iwokrama.org. More information on the Centre’s work is available on www.iwokrama.org , www.iwokramariverlodge.com and www.iwokramacanopywalkway.com.”