Eradication of illegal mining at Kaieteur National Park essential – Army

Georgetown: The Guyana Defence Force announced Wednesday that it is committed to supporting the efforts of the Protected Areas Commission and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in their efforts to purge the Kaieteur National Park of illegal mining.

The recent Joint Services Exercise, OPERATION MIDAS, revealed the extent of the environmental degradation plaguing the Park due to wide spread illegal mining activities occurring within the boundaries of the protected area of the Park. The OPERATION unearthed some 26 engines (dredges) among other pieces of mining equipment and environmental pollutants such as Mercury, Waste Oil and Silicone, which were being used indiscriminately by the illegal

miners. According to the GDF, among the recommendations proposed to the Protected Areas Commission by the GDF were the erection of billboards to sensitise the public and

visitors on the delineation of the Park and prohibited conduct; improved monitoring of all aircraft landing at the location and the scrutiny of any accompanying cargo; the prosecution of all registered dredge owners whose equipment were seized by GGMC, the rehabilitation of all waterways that were deliberately diverted by the illegal miners and the temporary suspension of mining licences for those registered engine owners.  “The GDF is constitutionally obligated to support the maintenance of law and order and therefore, remains resolute in its stance of supporting our Nation’s efforts in eradicating illegal mining at the Kaieteur National Park and the preservation of its environment. To this end, frequent surveillance will continue over this and other such protected areas,” the GDF noted.