Gov’t temporarily halts mining at Chinese Landing ––

Plans For Interventions To Continue

THE following is the full statement by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance:

“IN response to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ precautionary measures issued to Guyana on July 21, 2023, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance hereby informs the public that the Government of Guyana has taken a decision to stop all mining in Chinese Landing temporarily to allow for a more conducive environment to address the concerns of the community and all concerned

This comes in response to the claims contained in the IACHR resolution including that community members “felt unsafe even passing through the concessions to the other side to farm, hunt and fish, and to visit our families”.

This concern was also reiterated in a correspondence to subject Minister, Gail Teixeira , dated July 29, 2023 in which Toshao Orin Fernandes stated that steps which require immediate attention included “mining activity must stop.”

This decision is as a direct result of the ongoing communication between the Government of Guyana through the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and the Chinese Landing Village Council through Toshao Fernandes

It should be noted that an initial request for the planned fact - finding mission to be accommodated was sent to Toshao Fernandes on July 28

A response was received dated July 29 in which the Toshao explained that “while we appreciate your quick reaction and proposal the village council requires slightly more time to confer with the village on the appropriate measures”. August 2/3 was identified by the Toshao as a more favorable time

In addition, the Toshao also highlighted four measures which in the council ’ s opinion required the