APA..Newsletter # 3
National News..Migrate in Region 8

The question of Migrate Mining took up a lot of discussion during a quarterly meeting of the Region 8 Area Council held in February .

Migrate, a South African mining company was granted permisssion by the Guyana Government to do a reconnaissance surveys in the ancestral lands of the Macushi, Patamona, Akawaio and the Arekuna Peoples of Regions 7, 8 and 9, respectively. The company has been active more recently in Region 8, seeking agreement from the communities in order to begin their work.

The majority of the villages are however not happy with the company which has exclusive rights to survey, prospect and mine on their titled lands.

Bearing in mind that the village of Monkey Mountain has already signed an agreement with the company, the Area Council recommended that:

1. That the communities should not give Migrate Mining permission to prospect or mine;

2. That any community that wishes to give Migrate Mining permission to survey should only do so if :

(a) Migrate agrees to pay the community a survey fee.

(b) Migrate agrees to give a copy of the survey results and information, with a plain English explanation.

(c) Migrate agrees to follow the instructions of the Village Council and Captain.

(d) Migrate provides the Village Council with full information on its ownership, financial status, work programme and track record.

(e) Migrate agrees to a time limit for the survey.

(f) The Village Council obtains advice from an Amerindian organisation and from a legal representative of their choice.


Panaramic view of Paramakatoi, Region 8