Illegal tunnel mines discovered and destroyed in South Rupununi mineral reserve

In a statement, the Guyana Defence Force said the massive mining operation was discovered in the New River Basin area, which is about 50 miles from Guns Village in South Rupununi.

Illegal tunnel mines discovered and destroyed in South Rupununi mineral reserve

Three illegal mining tunnels were discovered and destroyed during a joint operation by the Guyana Defence Force, the Police and the Geology and Mines Commission in the South Rupununi region.

In a statement, the Guyana Defence Force said the massive mining operation was discovered in the New River Basin area, which is about 50 miles from Guns Village in South Rupununi.

While no one was found at the mining operation, three mining tunnels were discovered with two of them appearing active.

Several pieces of equipment including a satellite dish were discovered.

The GDF said due to the remoteness of the location, seizure of the equipment was not feasible. All of the equipment that were found were destroyed.

Investigators believe that the persons who were conducting mining operations may have been utilising an illegal airstrip in Brazil, located some two miles south of the Guyana/Brazil border.

The New River Basin is designated as a Rare Earth Mineral Reserve and as such, mining is strictly prohibited in the area. The GDF did not say what rare mineral was being mined at the location.

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