The disruption of gold mining operations in Campbelltown, in Region Eight, is beginning to affect the livelihoods of residents who depend on mining as their main source of income, according to Toshao Marbel Thomas.
Mining operations in the community were halted on October 20th by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) after an inspection revealed that mining operations were unsafe. This has resulted in some residents petitioning to remove the Toshao and the village council, while accusing them of only allowing family members and foreigners to mine in the area.
Last month, a petition signed by over 130 residents was given to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs (MoAA) Pauline Sukhai, who promised to have the matter resolved in early November and stated that mining operations will not resume until an investigation into the council is completed. However, according to Thomas, the investigations has not yet commenced and she is unsure when it will begin. She recalled that they had met with the minister two weeks ago and requested to see the petition so they could respond to the allegations made. She said Sukhai told the council that the ministry was yet to form a committee that will be tasked with conducting the investigation and it would be up to that body to decide whether the village council should see the allegations in the petition.
