Kako Village in standoff with miner

The dark water of the Kako River meeting the discoloured water of the Mazaruni River as photograph-ed during a visit by Stabroek News earlier this year.

-seeking to protect river from pollution, complaints lodged with ministries

Three times this year villagers rushed to their boats, faced off with a gold prospector and rejected letters from officials, a court order and pleas to allow gold mining equipment to pass.

Each time the dredge was forced to return downriver. “The villagers say they are committed to defend the land at any cost because they feel that their rights are being violated,” said Mario Hastings – the leader of Kako,