With no mining operations in the Haieka River, along which the communities of Chinoweing and Wax Creek are located, teams investigating fish deaths in the area did not test the water for mercury, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said yesterday.
However, in a statement, the EPA said it is currently collaborating with the Health Ministry, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the University of Guyana through the Centre for Study of Biological Diversity to further investigate fish deaths in the Kako, Kamarang, Quebadang, Waramadong, Jawalla and Phillipai communities. It added that during these investigations, further testing, including tests for mercury, will be conducted, in order to determine the cause of the fish deaths of the single fish species in these areas.
The EPA statement was prompted by questions raised in a letter to the editor, by Alfred Bhulai, published by
