Sixteen gold miners were brought before the courts last month on various charges under the Mining Act, as the Ministry of Natural Resources intensifies its crackdown on illegal mining operations across Guyana.
The miners appeared before the Bartica and Mahdia Magistrate’s Courts corresponding to the locations where the ministry’s Corps of Wardens uncovered their operations. All sixteen pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay various fines.
Of those charged, nine were accused of operating without a valid permit or licence, two faced charges for operating an unregistered dredge, and five were charged with having a licensed dredge on a property without permission.
The ministry warned that surveillance across all mining districts remains active and that breaches of Guyana’s mining laws will be met with firm action.
“Those found in breach of Guyana’s mining laws and regulations will be dealt with without fear or favour,” the ministry stated.
Officials also highlighted the broader consequences of illegal mining, noting that it drives environmental degradation, threatens public health and safety, and undermines sustainable mining practices across the sector.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is calling on all operators to engage with the relevant regulatory agencies and ensure full compliance with the law.
