Govt. decides against prosecuting of miners arrested for illegal mining at Kaieteur National Park as “act of good faith”

The Government has also decided that the current boundaries to the protected area will remain in place. The move comes one day after the National Toshaos Coucil asked the government not to continue with the charges. The request was taken to the President and the decision came just after.

Govt. decides against prosecuting of miners arrested for illegal mining at Kaieteur National Park as “act of good faith”

The Ministry of Natural Resources this afternoon announced that as an act of good faith, the government will not prosecute the charges against the more than 20 persons arrested on Sunday May 28, 2017 for mining within the iconic Kaieteur National Park.

According to the Ministry, the Park has been designated a Protected Area and will remain off limits to mining, forest-harvesting and other related activities.

The Government has also decided that the current boundaries to the protected area will remain in place. The move comes one day after the National Toshaos Coucil asked the government not to continue with the charges.  The request was taken to the President and the decision came just after.

“While the Ministry of Natural Resources remains firm in its mandate to protect the national patrimony for future generations, it is not insensitive to the needs of communities, and therefore, the Ministry along with other Government entities, is prepared to work with the Chenapau and other communities to identify opportunities for benefit-sharing and sustainable livelihoods in the ongoing conservation efforts for the Kaieteur National Park and other protected areas”, the Ministry said.

Earlier today, the Minister of State told members of the media that there will be no exceptions when it comes to illegal mining operations in the Kaieteur National Park and other protected areas.

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