-by Svetlana Marshall-

While raising concern over a lack of representation at the level of the National Toshaos’ Council, the Toshao for Chinese Landing Orin Fernandes, made a strong case today for the mining permits issued to miner Wayne Vieira to be revoked, and for mining to resume only for legitimate residents of the Indigenous community.

As the 2023 National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) Conference got underway at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) this morning, Mr. Fernandes called on the National Toshaos’ Council to stand resolutely with the people of Chinese Landing as they lobby Government to revoke the mining permits issued to Wayne Vieira.

 Additionally, the people of Chinese Landing are demanding the removal of all outside mining equipment, as well as the removal of all firearms owned by the “outside miners.”

Ahead of delivering his presentation to the more than 240 Toshaos gathered at the ACCC, Fernandes told reporters that representation from the NTC on the matter has been minimal. But he is hopeful that the NTC would join the fight in demanding justice for the indigenous people of Chinese Landing.

“I am looking for the support of the NTC, the other Toshaos. In our case with the Vieira blocks on our titled land, we are calling on the Government to remove them, remove all of the security personnel, [and] the outside miners. We are calling for them to be removed with all of their equipment, and for safety mechanism of be implemented,” Toshao Fernandes said.

Earlier this month, the Government, halted all mining activities in the Village of Chinese Landing in a direct response to the precautionary measures issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

However, Fernandes said while there is an increase number of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) officers and wardens on the ground, reports indicate that some miners are still carrying out mining in the areas, particularly at nights.

“The blocks are located at the centre of our titled lands, and currently, nobody is working. The village council doesn’t go into the area but we have been receiving reports that some of the miners still continue to work when the wardens or the GGMC officers are not present” he explained.

Fernandes said while the decision to halt mining activities on the blocks assigned to Vieira is a step in the right direction, residents are looking forward to the complete removal of the “outside miners” from their titled lands. He said the presence of the miners pose a threat to their safety and well-being, and also their socio-economic development.

For Chinese Landing – a small Carib village located in Region One – small scale mining has been a source of income for the residents there.

The Village Council is hoping that the Government will grant permission for the residents of Chinese Landing to resume their mining operations soon. Fernandes said for decades, the people of Chinese Landing have been safely mining, while protecting their environment.

Today, President Irfaan Ali, when questioned on the issue, explained that the matter must be dealt with in its entirety before a decision is taken on future mining in the area.

Earlier this month, the President dispatched a ‘fact-finding’ team into Chinese Landing to assess the challenges faced by residents as a result of mining in the area by “outsiders.”

“I don’t know that there will be a basis for resumption until the issue is dealt with in its entirety, and that is what is going on now. The issue is being dealt with in its entirety, and when process is completely then the recommendations will come,” the President told reporters.

The visit to Chinese Landing by the fact-finding team was also as a result of the precautionary measures granted by the IACHR in July.

IACHR, in granting the measures, said the people of Chinese Landing are in “a serious and urgent situation, given [that] their rights to life and personal integrity are at serious risk.” It urged the Government to take the necessary steps to uphold the rights of the Indigenous people.

Though the people of Chinese Landing remain dissatisfied with the progress made since the issuance of the precautionary measures by the IACHR, the Chairman of the NTC, Derrick John said the Government is doing its best.

“I want to let you know that the Government recently sent in a team there, a high-level team and they had a dialogue with the miner and the community, and I think some progress has been made,” he said.

However, the NTC Chairman said he remains open to the recommendations by the Chinese Landing Village Council.

Toshao John expressed concern that despite writing the Village Council more than a year ago, seeking a detailed report on the issues confronting the people of Chinese Landing, no formal report as been submitted.

He said the NTC is unable to act on behalf of the Village Council in the absence of formal communication.

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