Environment at risk
Editorial
Recent weeks have seen strong statements issued on the damage to Guyana's rivers as a result of mining. One of the sternest emanated from no less a person than the Chairman of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Robeson Benn. According to a statement from the GGMC, Mr Benn asserted that the mining industry is faced with the mounting problem of the unrestrained pollution of rivers and the unmonitored activities of illegal aliens. Mr Benn also cited what he said was a significant expansion of mining operations. He was reported to have made the statements at a symposium hosted by the GGMC in February and there was no further elaboration on the points raised. It would be interesting to hear what the GGMC proposes to do to combat these problems. Earlier in February, Prime Minister Sam Hinds - the minister responsible for mining - was quoted in the February 20 edition of this newspaper as promising to address the environmental concerns of several Amerindian communities. The Amerindians were said to be concerned that their traditionally rich fishing grounds were being despoiled and that the river channels were being blocked by mining detritus. In the same report, the Executive Secretary of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Edward Shields railed against the pollution of rivers by the Brazilian garimpeiros who have invaded the mineral rich grounds in several parts of the country including the Mazaruni. The illegal Brazilian miners were said to be profligate in their use of the very hazardous metal mercury and engaged in a range of unacceptable practices including dumping untreated human waste into the surrounding creeks and rivers. Several issues arise. The first of these is the capacity and our commitment to monitor mining in the interior of the country. There is little doubt that real damage is being done to the rivers and landscape by mining and that remedial action is more the exception than the rule. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is still to come to grips with its broad mandate four years after its originating legislation. One example of this was its belated response to the credible concerns that cyanide seeped into the Wenamu River due to an unsanctioned mining test. Aside from the EPA, the GGMC is unable to deploy officers in sufficient numbers to patrol environmentally sensitive mining areas and to apply stiff sanctions. Moreover, new environmental regulations to govern mining activities have been the source of much contention between the EPA and the GGDMA and are yet to be implemented. The end result is that mining is proceeding without the requisite checks and balances and only the most grotesque cases of damage are brought to the surface. Before the minister responsible for mining can make a good faith bid to rein in poor mining practices the ranks of GGMC mining officers have to be expanded, more outposts established in the interior and the EPA fully empowered to exercise overall authority over mining management. Secondly, the whole issue of mining in and near rivers is one that has to be comprehensively settled. The rationale for alluvial mining has become increasingly tenuous as more focus is placed on environmental protection. The issues are multiple. Mining in the vicinity of rivers has undermined many a river bank, changed permanently the course of rivers, killed and endangered river ecosystems, deposited poisonous tailings into waterways and threatened the established way of life of the Amerindians and other denizens of the areas. Mining on land poses fewer hazards. The twin woes of poor inspection ability on the part of regulatory bodies and growing environmental awareness must trigger a national outcry against the destructive practice of mining in and around rivers. This is something that the EPA and those in government with responsibility for the environment must shove to the top of their priorities. Thirdly, no matter what attempts are made to regulate mining, if free agents like the garimpeiros who do not feel compelled to comply with national laws are permitted to continue rampaging through the resource rich areas of the country then there is no hope for the environment. The government - through the ministry of foreign affairs - must ensure that Brasilia recognises the immense danger posed by its brethren to the environment through reckless practices. If this fails, Georgetown has to ruthlessly close off loopholes that permit locals to act as proxies for the Brazilians in mining ventures. As costly as it is the army should then be deployed to apprehend and repatriate these illegals after they have faced the courts of the country. The situation is this serious. If steps aren't taken to muscle in on environmental and other lawlessness in the mining areas in this country irreparable harm will be done.
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