The US$100 million class action suit against Omai Gold Mines Ltd (OGML) was dismissed on February 5, by Justice Winston Moore after plaintiffs repeatedly failed to file an affidavit.

Residents on the Essequibo River filed 522 writs representing 881 claimants for losses and damages suffered following the 1995 cyanide spill. According to information carried on the Cambior website for Cambior Inc (which owns 65% of OGML), at least 95% of the said claims have been settled and payment for the remaining claims have not yet been effected as the respective claimants have either not turned up or could not be located.

Cambior Inc, OGML's parent company, is an international gold producer with operations, development projects and exploration activities throughout the Americas.