As efforts continue to clamp down on illegal mining, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes along with a team from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) carried out a site visit to a dredge in 10 Miles, Bartica yesterday and issued a cease work and removal order.
GGMC acting Manager of Mines, Krishna Ramdass said a complaint was received on January 7, 2019, which alleged that mining operations were being done within the boundaries of Bartica’s township.
He said that the allegations were promptly investigated. Ramdass disclosed that investigations found that “the dredge was operating on a prospecting permit and the owner of that permit was recorded as Samantha Charles”.
It was noted that while the operator, Mohamed and Bobby Rasoul, has been complying with the orders, charges are expected to be laid.
“It was a breach of the mining act as mining cannot be undertaken on a prospecting license,” the acting Mining Manager explained.
Minister Broomes assured that measures would be put in place to avoid similar issues in the future. She said she will be engaging Minister of Natural Resources on the matter.
“It is something we will look at with all the new towns and I will recommend that where we have prospecting licenses fall within boundaries of these new towns that we seek not to move them into conversion of mining because you will get some problems” Minister Broomes stated. (Extracted and modified from Department of Public Information)
