The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) says it fully supports the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) after it announced a crackdown on illegal mining and smuggling of gold.
The GGMC had carried out enforcement exercises in the Sand Hills and Toroparu areas during which several illegal miners and raiders were detained, and several illegal shops and operations were dismantled.
In its statement, the GGDMA also commended the Guyana Police (GPF) for its support in the exercise, while urging the GMC to increase its enforcement efforts to stamp out illegal gold mining.
‘The GGDMA calls on the GGMC to expand this exercise to other areas and commence the regularization of landings in the mining areas. It must be noted that illegal gold mining and the operation of illegal shops fuels other associated illegal activities, such as human trafficking, gold smuggling and the sale of illegal drugs. These activities have in the past been tied directly to the gangs in Venezuela including the notorious Sindicato gang.
‘At a time when Guyana is under threat from its aggressive neighbour, the country must take all steps to stop activities linked to the financing activities in Venezuela,’ the GGDMA said.
It said it has always called for an end to illegal mining, reminding miners that all gold must be sold to the Guyana Gold Board or authorized dealers and detailed records be kept for verification.
Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigations into the murder of a 22-year-old man, who was working as a miner at Issano Landing in Middle Mazaruni, Region 7 on Sunday.
The policce said that he has been identified as Samuel Marciano and that he was shot multiple times while attending a social gathering at a shop in the gold mining area of Linden. It is unclear what led to the shooting.
However, the Police said its preliminary inquiries have indicated that Marciano was shot multiple times by two known individuals.
CMC/gt/ir/2025