Village meeting Kambaru,Upper Mazaruni------------------------------------>

The village of Kambaru in the Upper Mazaruni has been experiencing pollution of the water in the area of their village as a result of river dredging activity by coastal miners. The Marguy Mining Company has been specifically named as one company responsible for this pollution.

Residents have also complained about the incursion of miners on their farmlands by the Sunrise Mining Company. They have also said that

miners do not observe safety regulations when travelling in motor boats, very often travelling at full speed and disregarding Amerindians travelling in small canoes. Reports that are made to the police at Imbaimadai often bear no result.

Complaints were made to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission ( GGMC) and Prime Minister Sam Hinds.

As a result, a team comprising GGMC and EPA

(Environmental Protection Agency) officials went to Kambaru to investigate the complaints. The APA also took the opportunity to visit the community at the same time the team was visiting, accompanied by the community’s legal advisor.

Residents were able to air their grievances in two meetings with the officials. As a result of this visit the GGMC promised to send in two mines officers in the area to carry out a more intensive investigation into the complaints. They also recommended a joint investigation by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the GGMC, EPA and the police.

Mining activity in the area however still continue. Some residents instead now have increased concerns for their security as a result of the visit which they hoped was going to bring them some redress. It is alleged that some residents have received threats of different sorts from miners.

Dredge in the Mazaruni River