Authorities have arrested two Brazilian nationals and one Venezuelan for illegal gold mining activities within the Iwokrama Protected Forests. The arrests occurred during an enforcement operation carried out by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Police Force, and park rangers in the Siparuni area.
The individuals apprehended are:
- Rondiney Barbosa Periera (Brazilian)
- Edwardo De Souza Braz (Brazilian)
- Cristhian Jose Cedero (Venezuelan)
According to a statement from the Iwokrama International Centre, illegal mining has been a persistent challenge over the past year, although there has been a slight reduction compared to 2024. The Centre has noted an increasing trend of foreign nationals entering Guyana, both legally and illegally, to engage in these unlawful activities.
The statement indicated that some Brazilians are entering the country under the guise of tourism or business ventures, but with the intention of illegally harvesting gold. Alarmingly, these illegal activities are often facilitated by local Guyanese citizens.
Iwokrama is urging border control services and community partners to be vigilant regarding individuals traveling through parts of Guyana with boats, dredges, and mining equipment in vehicles without necessary permits for mining.
The Centre emphasizes that gold mining activities are strictly prohibited in the Iwokrama Forest. These illegal actions not only pose significant threats to national ecological integrity but also disrupt local livelihoods and traditional practices, undermining Guyana’s forestry and protected area management systems.
Moreover, illegal mining can jeopardize Iwokrama’s international certification and adversely impact the entire Protected Areas System, as well as Guyana’s progressive green agenda. Such violations will not be tolerated.
