Water versus gold at Port Kaituma – commentary

Water versus gold at Port Kaituma

Mining for gold

SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 · Stabroek News – Editorial

Two weeks ago, residents of Port Kaituma and nearby areas began to complain bitterly about the pollution of their water supplies by miners working upstream. In the past few years such complaints from various parts of the country have been numerous and a reflection of the wanton disregard of miners for the riparian rights of citizens in these areas. Miners have become emboldened by the increasing weight of the economy attributable to their mineral returns and the ineffectiveness of the government and its regulatory bodies at reining in environmental pollution.

How did the government respond to the concerns of the Port Kaituma residents? Well, it seems that the Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud had been in the area for mining week activities and upon hearing of the concerns he announced that the ministry would make available G$80m (US$400,000), to the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) for the construction of a water treatment plant.  

River Polluted by Gold Mining

Undoubtedly it was a generous announcement by the minister but is that the price of mining pollution in this country? Should the way of life of people along ancient rivers and their tributaries be reduced to drinking treated water simply because the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Government of Guyana have signalled to miners that gold production must not be compromised? Even if only to bulk up GDP numbers?  [Read more]  

Also read:

This may be of interest to some government operative who determines when or how Gold in Guyana is mined. — says Patrick Barber … who submitted this article

Mercury from Gold Rush days reaching land below old mines

Traci Watson, Special for USA TODAY 3:03 p.m. EDT October 28, 2013

Mercury used to mine gold in California’s Gold Rush days still making its way into valleys below the gold mines.

In a picture, a man stands in front of a mercury-laced earthen terrace alongside California’s Yuba River, downstream of several massive gold mines. The next big flood is likely to wash mercury-laden sediment into the river and to the valley below.(Photo: Michael Singer)

Story Highlights

• Mercury was used in mining operations to extract gold
• Some thought mercury was staying put, but research finds it’s making its way to lands below the old mines
• There is enough mercury remaining to contaminate lowlands for another 10,000 years

Read more: Ongoing Pollution from Gold Rush in the USA