Omai mining raids evict 300

300 persons, including illegal miners were evicted from the Omai area during a campaign last week by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Equipment such as dredges were seized, said GGMC Commissioner, William Woolford. He told Stabroek News that there will be prosecutions. Woolford said that the campaign at the Omai area, which also encompasses Quartz Hill and surrounding areas, was part of an ongoing country-wide campaign which also included exercises at other mining areas in the country. Illegal miners, shop keepers and others were netted by the GGMC officials at the Omai area. Three police ranks accompanied the mining officials to this area during the campaign which ran from August 13 to the 21.

Other illegal miners were also unearthed and evicted in other areas such as the Middle and Upper Mazaruni, Cuyuni, the North West District and other places where the campaigns were held, Woolford said. A figure for these persons was not immediately available.

According to Woolford, these compliance campaigns are routine. He said that during the campaigns the GGMC officers also spoke with miners on recent developments in the sector and gave information about improving their operations, environmental management, health and safety and other issues. The GGMC commissioner emphasized that there are constant compliance campaigns across the country.  Mining officials routinely assess operations using a checklist to ensure that these are working according to regulations. Those not in compliance are warned, issued citations or cease-work orders.

The Quartz Hill/Omai area has been plagued with illegal operators. In 2008, a horde of illegal miners descended here and set up haphazard operations breaching mining regulations and resulting in pollution before they were reined in. Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association Executive Director, Edward Shields said recently that many persons have been entering the industry in recent times given high gold prices.