Mining outfits closed for muddying waters
Stabroek News
March 23, 2004
Nine small-scale mining operations in the Konawaruk River have been closed in the last week for breaching regulations regarding the discharge of tailings.
In a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commis-sion (GGMC) head, Commis-sioner Robeson Benn said the operations were closed as a result of unrestrained discharges of heavy silt from their tailings into the nearby environment.
"GGMC is insisting that the discharges from hydraulicking and other mining operations be routed into settling ponds from water which could be recycled for reuse, or discharged after settlement," Benn told GINA.
The Konawaruk River, a tributary of the Essequibo, has seen serious discoloration of its water particularly downstream due to the discharge, the release said.
Benn pointed out that "the discharge standard for total suspended solids (TSS), in water leaving a mine site, adapted by the GGMC, is 60 parts per million (60 mg per litre). Recent discharges listed for TSS content in the Konawaruk River reached over 400 parts per million."
The action by the GGMC came after the Benn had issued instructions notifying operatives in mining districts about the commission's impending sanctions.
"Officers have been in the Konawaruk and Upper Maza-runi areas to advise, assist and where necessary enforce the regulations with respect to discharges," the GINA release said.
Current low water levels in the Essequibo Region, makes it more susceptible to contamination, the release noted.
Benn is scheduled to visit the mining districts of Konawaruk/Mahdia this week, and will visit the Upper Mazaruni and North West District in the coming weeks.
He issued a plea to miners to use mined-out pits as settlement and recycle ponds and to build impediments to control water use and sediments.
"In its efforts to monitor and address concerns, this year the commission plans to set up mining affairs committees to deal with matters directly affecting residents and miners in mining communities," the release added.