The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has denied stories suggesting that Avalon Gold Exploration Inc. plans to launch water containing cyanide and mercury into the Essequibo River. The GGMC clarified that Avalon solely holds an exploration license, not a mining license, and is subsequently not approved to conduct mining actions. Any future mining would require a radical Environmental Influence Evaluation (EIA) and an authorised mining plan.
The GGMC defined that the dewatering referenced within the stories is solely for draining a mining pit to facilitate exploration, not mining itself. They emphasised that this pit shouldn’t be a tailings pond, which is particularly designed to handle supplies with poisonous substances. Moreover, the fee famous that large-scale mining in Guyana usually doesn’t contain mercury, and the usage of cyanide is strictly regulated to reduce the danger of contamination in water our bodies.
The fee mentioned earlier than any dewatering can proceed, Avalon Gold Exploration Inc is required to acquire the required environmental permits to make sure full compliance with all related laws.
“In session with the Environmental Safety Company (EPA), we confirmed that the data out there on their web site pertains to Avalon Gold Exploration Inc’s software for numerous actions, together with the dewatering of present mining pits.”
The GGMC mentioned that the EPA has additionally clarified {that a} complete EIA can be required earlier than any actions can start or approvals be granted.
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“This course of displays the EPA’s dedication to transparency, permitting public assessment and suggestions on all purposes. To this finish, the EPA strongly encourages group participation, as public enter is important for guaranteeing accountable and sustainable environmental and mining practices.”
The GGMC has sought to reassure the general public that it’s going to “actively take part within the EIA assessment course of and oversee any mining-related actions to make sure adherence to all mining and environmental laws.
“We urge the general public to remain engaged on this course of as we proceed to advertise accountable and sustainable environmental and mining practices,” it added.
