The first security checkpoint in the mining district aimed at reducing the high incidence of crime, was established last Wednesday at Itaballi.

Executive Secretary of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA), Edward Shields, revealed this at a meeting on Friday. The meeting was called at the body’s office to discuss a number of issues affecting miners, including security, which he promised to keep on the front burner.

Two ranks from the Guyana Police Force and two GGMC mines officers are to be stationed at the checkpoint, the establishment of which had been promised at a recent meeting of the Guyana Geology and Mines Com-mission (GGMC).

The decision to institute checkpoints came in response to an upsurge in criminal activity in the mining community. Two Brazilian miners have been killed: Jose Soares Silva Filho in September and Paolo Moura da Silva on October 3. And at least one Brazilian miner was robbed.

The checkpoint is situated at Itaballi on the Puruni Road at the turnoff to the Arimu/ Quartzstone Road where vehicles entering have to pay a toll.

Shields said that the police and the GGMC would be able to monitor persons and vehicles travelling to and from Puruni, Million Mountain, Tiger Creek, Takutu, Oko, Arimu, Baramalli, Arawak Matope, Blackwater and Quartzstone. He said that other checkpoints would be set up at Eclipse Falls Top, North West District; Enachu, Mid Mazaruni and 47 Miles, Mabura Road.

All persons entering and leaving the district will be required to stop and report to the officer in charge of the checkpoint, who will then record each person’s particulars and the nature of his or her business in the area of intended activity. Shields said that each person would be required initially to provide photo identification of him/herself along with proof of his or her involvement in legitimate activity within the district, such as a Mining Privilege or Certificate of Employment, endorsed by the claim holder or the person with whom he or she is employed. The checkpoint will also accept dredge and shop licences, prospecting permits or residential or business permission for an area beyond the checkpoint. He said that other forms of proof of involvement as determined by the GGMC might be used from time to time.

Speaking at the meeting, GGDMA President Stanislaus Jardine said that it has now become necessary for miners to travel in groups and use VHF radios for communication in order to protect themselves against armed criminals. “We need to manage our business. We know what to do and we must do it properly. With all the crime and killing we can’t give up...we have to continue to work,” he said at the meeting’s conclusion.

At a meeting of the GGDMA held on October 8, miners had suggested that checkpoints be set up to monitor those entering and leaving the districts. Both Guyanese and Brazilian miners used this opportunity to lobby for the issuing of firearm licences to protect themselves and police commissioner-designate Winston Felix said that the force stood ready to do what was necessary to assist in protecting miners. He had stated also that since the deaths of the two Brazilian nationals, the police had increased their patrols in the mining areas. At this meeting too, a senior police official had said that he would assist in getting gun licence applications processed for the miners.

Shields spoke also of the association’s intention of getting rid of ‘kayamoos’ or illegal tent shops in the mining areas. “We have to put shops in designated areas,” he said, adding that it was illegal to place those shops on claims. In an article in the Sunday Stabroek of October 12, it was stated that the tent shops offer alcohol, drugs and prostitutes and that they contributed to the crime situation in the interior. It is believed that many persons with no legitimate business in the mining areas hang around these ‘kayamoos.’ The article stated too that some of the owners of the tent shops denied the allegations.

GGMC Commissioner Robeson Benn, said in a recent letter to the Commissioner of Police that the support of the Guyana Police Force and law enforcement agencies, along with the GGMDA is encouraged to bring order to the mining districts.

Benn pledged on behalf of the GGMC to do all that is necessary to help protect legitimate operators within the mining industry from the criminals.