Dear Editor,
This letter, regarding the recent events in the Marudi mines in the South Rupununi, is being written with much worry. It is a widespread worry among residents of the South Rupununi and these opinions represent the situation at the Marudi mines. We are deeply in love with the Rupununi, and we would be devastated if this current decline carries on unchecked into the future. First and foremost, there is no information exchanged regarding Golden Shields’ prospecting operations. What is actually taking place? There are already concerns that the company may expand its prospecting activities into other locations that are rumored to be rich in gold.
Even if this is a major problem, the so-called small-scale operations that are currently occurring in the area at an unprecedented rate are what really worries us. Editor, correct me if I’m wrong, because we may have different definitions of small-scale mining, but what appears to be going on right now doesn’t seem to meet the requirements for being a small-scale mining operation by the little miners. Even more concerning is the fact that these so-called small-scale mining operations are being carried out by Brazilian companies through agreements with Guyanese individuals and businesses.
Editor, in order to give you a better idea of the scope of the current operations taking place at the Marudi mines, we cordially invite you and everyone else to visit the site of operations. We disagree with what is taking place because formal agreements only forbid small-scale mining. Do the higher authorities have knowledge of what’s happening? Are they aware that Brazilian operators are the main beneficiaries of this mining? What is the purpose of the GGMC in the Marudi mines? Is the EPA even aware of the environmental damages happening at the moment?
Does the GGMC and Gold Board know that most of the production is traded in Brazil? Based on recent reports by our own Gold Board, our country’s gold production has decreased – Editor, the Gold Board needs to put more attention on what’s really happening in these situations and a special focus should be placed on the Brazilian operations happening at the moment. Even more concerning, there are reported plans for the use of methods which would include ‘blasting’ as part of the future of mining in the area. Since when is this acceptable? Can Guyanese go and do this in Brazil? Since when are we accepting all of this? Why are we okay with all of this? Are we going to allow the Brazilians to take over? Are we setting a precedent for Maduro?
If the regional authorities are okay with this, we the South Rupununi residents are NOT! We are not going to allow what happened at Chinese Landing to happen at Marudi, or any other areas that were raped of their resources.
Sincerely,
(Name and Address Withheld)
