Evidence of increasing lawlessness in mining communities in Guyana, which is characterized by heightened levels of violence that have led to loss of life appears to have elicited no new official measures aimed at correcting the situation.
The response to a question on the issue raised by this newspaper with Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud pointed to increased collaboration among stakeholders in hinterland security and the mining sector including the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
He said the government and the GGDMA “have committed to assisting the Guyana Police Force in the provision of resources that would contribute to increased police presence and the reduction of criminal activity.”
Just how far these entities have gone in helping to enforce law and order at interior locations is, however, debatable, given what miners have told this newspaper is the continuing virtual non-existence of any meaningful police presence in some areas and the unrelenting violence.
The response from the minister’s office alluded to “a comprehensive security plan” which was developed and presented to the GGDMA “outlining measures that would be undertaken to provide adequate security for the sector.”
One of the miners with whom this newspaper spoke said that while it may well be true that a security plan existed somewhere “on paper” the maintenance of law and order in many mining communities was a function of regimes put in place by the miners themselves.
According to the minister’s office, the important role of miners in hinterland communities cannot be downplayed since these are the persons who are on the ground and more familiar with the situation. But the mining source rebutted that the role of miners does not obviate the need for a strong and effective police presence.
Meanwhile, the minister’s office suggests that government is satisfied with the quality of the relationship between the miners and Amerindian communities. “The miners and Amerindian communities have always enjoyed a very good relationship and this remains the same to date. Many of the Amerindians are also miners themselves and interact frequently with coastland miners,” it said. “The rights of the Amerindians continue to be respected,” and this is ensured “by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the laws and regulations that were enacted.” It said that mining on Amerindian lands has to be undertaken within the mining laws and regulations and the GGMC is required to enforce those laws.
