Guyanese, Brazilian arrested for illegal mining in Iwokrama Forest

Ongoing efforts of the Iwokrama International Centre together with support from the Government of Guyana agencies to stem the illegal gold mining situation within the Protected Area has resulted in further arrests.

A mission with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission along with Guyana Police Force and support from Ministry of Natural Resources saw several persons being arrested on Republic Day, February 23, 2025. These illegal miners included a Brazilian national with family ties to a nearby community, who has a long history of illegal incursions in the Iwokrama forest along with two other Guyanese – from the Essequibo Coast and Paramakatoi Village.

Iwokrama, over the past years has been besieged by illegal gold mining in the Siparuni area, and has sent stern warnings that such intrusions will be forcefully dealt with.  Several enforcement activities led by Government of Guyana regulatory agencies have been undertaken to curb these illegal activities which saw 14 persons were arrested in 2024.

Community leaders associated with Iwokrama have also strongly condemned resident community persons’ involvement in illegal gold mining within Iwokrama and signed on to a joint communique in October 2024.

Iwokrama and North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB):

1. Strongly condemn these illegal operations in the Iwokrama Forest.

2. Undertake to ensure that members of the communities understand that gold mining is illegal in the Iwokrama Forest and that supplying these illegal operations with materials and supplies is also illegal.

3. Work together on a comprehensive monitoring programme that will include communication and reporting mechanisms amongst each other and report on any suspicious activities in and around their communities and the Iwokrama Forest.

4. Are grateful for the Government of Guyana support in eradicating this major problem and will continue to engage with and support the Government in their efforts to curb this activity.

5. Would like to remind the general public of the importance of the Iwokrama Forest to 1.) the livelihoods of the communities of Regions 8 and 9 and 2.) the national reputation of Guyana as a country known for its biodiversity conservation initiatives.

The Centre would like to once again remind the Public that gold mining activities are absolutely not allowed in the Iwokrama Forest. Furthermore, such illegal activities are a threat to the Centre’s international certification and to Guyana’s forest management system as a whole and will be tolerated.  Iwokrama reserves the right to publish the names and photographs of persons found conducting illegal gold mining activities on the Protected Area.

Iwokrama’s management acknowledges that collaboration is the most effective way to target such illegal activities and are grateful for the continued support from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Police Force, the Protected Areas Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. [Press Release]