…SRDC says; warns against mining activities in the Marudi Mountain
A Mining Task Force established to uphold the Mining Laws and Regulations of the country and to safeguard the rights of the Indigenous People in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo District, has reportedly abandoned its mission, and is now serving only the interest of miners.
In a lengthy letter addressed to the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and copied to Vice President Bharrat Jadgeo, the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) registered its grave concern that the Task Force, which was created to address mining related conflicts and problems in Region Nine, has been consumed by mining interests.
In the letter dated Tuesday, January 12, 2021, Chairman of the South Rupununi District Council, Nicholas Fredericks, reminded the Natural Resources Minister that from the onset, the Council had expressed concern over the unacceptably skewed composition of the Task Force. He said the Council’s concerns are now amplified by Representative of the Task Force Vivekananda Dalip, who has indicated to the SRDC the Task Force was created to represent the best interest of miners.
“It is our belief that this cannot be the case, given the Hon. Minister’s instructions that the purposes of the Task Force shall include addressing non-compliance with the Mining Regulations by miners, prostitution and drug use at the Landing; the negative environmental impact of mining; and abuse of indigenous persons by miners,” Fredericks said.
The SRDC Head contended that in a letter to the Council, Dalip implied that miners “should determine the future of mining in the region,” ignoring the fact that the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo District is made up of indigenous villages. “…we the indigenous peoples in the region are the traditional owners of and have decision making rights over the land,” Fredericks reminded while adding that there are laws governing mining in the country.
SRDC also rejected the Constitution of the Task Force, which has as its objective a plan to create employment and economic development in the district. Fredericks said the SRDC was not consulted on the Constitution, and demands that there be a clear Terms of Reference for the operation of the Task Force.
“The drafting of a so-called ‘Constitution’ and ‘Proposed Responsibilities’ without our knowledge and participation appears to us to be in bad faith and a deliberate infringement of our rights,” the SRDC Chair told the Minister.
Further, the SRDC sternly objected to plans to pursue mining activities in the Mazoa (Marudi) Mountain. During a meeting last Sunday, Dalip reportedly informed miners of the Marudi Mountain of the rules and regulations to be implemented at the recommencement of mining in the area. This new development, Fredericks said, is of major concern.
“Despite repeated requests, the SRDC has yet to receive any clear guidance regarding the legal authority that allows small and medium-scale miners the “opportunity and privilege to pursue mining activities” in Mazao or to “recommence” mining in the Marudi area, which fall inside the Mining Licence held by Romanex Guyana. Romanex has yet to receive an environmental permit and thus has no legal authority to commence mining operations, nor, has far as we are aware, to allow any other persons to mine within its mining licence,” Fredericks reasoned.
That aside, the SRDC Chair reminded the Minister that the Marudi Mountain holds spiritual and cultural significance for the Wapichan people and further to that, mining activities in the area threaten the headwaters of the four major rivers in the country, in addition to causing numerous social ills.
The SRDC urged the Natural Resources Minister to intervene by taking the lead in the development of a Terms of Reference for the Task Force through consultation with the Council, and to guard the Task Force against persons who only seek to serve their own interest.
The letter was also copied to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and the National Toshaos’ Council.
