The Government is urging displaced Marudi Mountain miners to “exercise patience,” days after they threatened to riot against Romanex Guyana Exploration Ltd.
In a statement from the Rupununi Mining Association on Saturday (January 27, 2018), the miners also threatened to recommence mining “without approval” from the Government if that approval cannot be granted by the end of this week.
They further stated that all they the Government has given them since the dispute between them and Romanex Guyana Exploration Ltd. began, is “nuff sweet talk.”
However, the Ministry of Natural Resources in a statement on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, reiterated that a number of blocks of land have been set aside for displaced miners, including women miners – in an effort to ensure that their economic livelihood is preserved.
“At the last mediation conformity meeting on Friday, September 8, 2017, it was said that in the apportioning of available lands, preference will be given to those individuals who were cooperating with the conformity process,” the Natural Resources Ministry said.
The Ministry stated it takes note of the concerns raised and assures the association and its members that “we have been working assiduously to arrive at solutions that are agreeable to all.”
The statement alluded to the landmark mediation agreement signed between the stakeholders including Romanex on whose property the miners operated, calling on the Mining company to conduct the necessary social and environmental impact assessments with a view to integrating the Rupununi miners and the concerns of the indigenous communities.
The Ministry urged the miners to adhere to the agreement and prospect the lands allocated before pronouncing on the geological viability of those lands, while the Ministry will ensure that the GGMC supports the process of prospecting the lands to ascertain geological viability.
However, the Rupununi Mining Association in its January 27th statement said Romanex had promised that if they move the landing to another location, they will allow the people to work. “As such, with great effort, the landing was moved to a new location and up to this date Romanex has not allowed the people to recommence working,” the body said.
According to the Ministry, of 70 operators who were active when the mediation agreement was signed, just 39 now remain. An engagement with the miners to discuss and agree on a way forward was also promised.
