Seven foreign nationals arrested in Guyana illegal mining crackdown

The government of Guyana says it is continuing its crackdown on illegal mining, with seven foreign nationals — including six Brazilians — arrested during the latest enforcement exercise.

In a statement, the Ministry of Natural Resources (Guyana) said a coordinated operation across the country’s mining districts, conducted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), led to the discovery of two illegal mining sites along the Puruni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Authorities said six Brazilian nationals and one Venezuelan were found working illegally at the sites. Following the operation, the GGMC instituted several charges against the landowners.

The charges include operating without a licence or permit, operating without permission to mine, and employing workers without work permits or certificates of registration. The operators have also been charged with failing to produce a register of labourers and a register of poisonous substances.

According to the ministry, the foreign nationals were escorted to the Bartica Police Station for processing, while an excavator, dragger and other equipment used in the illegal operations were seized by the state.

“The ministry has taken the necessary steps to ensure all costs for environmental reclamation are covered by the unlicensed operators,” the ministry said.

Officials noted that the discovery of the two illegal mining operations is among several that have been dismantled in recent months following a directive from Irfaan Ali to strengthen compliance in the mining sector.

In January, the Guyanese president warned that gold miners who fail to declare their production will face immediate consequences, including deregistration, prosecution and possible expulsion, as the government intensifies its crackdown on illegal and non-compliant mining operations.

“All registered dredges with no declaration will be deregistered, and all foreign miners operating illegally in Guyana must be identified for prosecution and expulsion,” Ali said.