Two Brazilian Nationals have been arrested for illegally mining at the Iwokrama Protected Area in Region 8 following a multi-agency operation. The two who were arrested have been identified as Jose Do Santos Silvino and Flaviano Teixiera-Costa

In a release today, the Iwokrama Centre said Four other Brazilian miners escaped from the enforcement team, but left their passports behind.

There have been ongoing efforts by the Iwokrama International Centre and other Government agencies to stem the illegal gold mining situation within the Iwokrama Protected Area.

“For the past year the challenge with illegal mining has continued, though somewhat reduced, we are seeing more foreign nationals entering the country to engage in this illegal act.  It is understood that these Brazilian nationals entered the country under the pretext of vacation with intent to participate in illegal gold mining in the Iwokrama protected area,” the Centre said in its statement.

The Iwokrame Centre reminded that gold mining activities are prohibited in the Iwokrama Forests in keeping with the Iwokrama Act 1996 which prohibits illegal activities.

“Furthermore, such illegal activities pose an imminent threat to our national ecological integrity, disrupts local livelihoods and traditional practices and undermines Guyana’s forestry and protected areas management systems. Such violations will not be tolerated,” the Centre noted.

The organization said it will continue to collaborate with various agencies to target illegal mining activities in the Protected Areas.

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