HGP Nightly News – Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Newell Dennison, has moved to reject claims of large-scale gold smuggling at the Marudi Mining District in Region Nine, saying the allegations now circulating in public discourse are unfounded and lack technical credibility. His intervention comes at a time of growing attention on mining activities in the South Rupununi, particularly at Mazoa Hill, where concerns have been raised by opposition figures and other stakeholders over access, foreign involvement and the scale of operations taking place there.
In a video statement issued on Wednesday night, Dennison said he felt compelled to address the public discussion surrounding the Marudi Gold Project, making it clear that the GGMC does not accept the narrative that millions of U.S. dollars in gold are being smuggled out of the area on a daily basis. According to the GGMC Commissioner, those claims do not withstand scrutiny when measured against the practical realities of mining, including the volume of material that would have to be moved, processed and graded for such an operation to be viable.
Dennison explained that the Marudi area, including Mazoa Hill and surrounding locations, has been under mining interest for years and has operated under a licence since 2012. He said earlier attempts to develop the resource were affected by poor administration, unsafe practices and criminal activity, but argued that greater stability has only been achieved in recent years through cooperation among the Ministry of Natural Resources, local communities and miners in the area. According to him, the project is now being operated under a special mining permit arrangement involving an association of approximately 40 Rupununi miners.
He said that in November 2021, an agreement was signed between the Rupununi Miners Association, Aurous and Romanex, with the GGMC acting as regulator, to allow the resumption of mining operations by small-scale miners. Under that arrangement, the Rupununi Miners Association is made up of two medium-scale operators and 38 small-scale miners, while the Special Mining Permit is restricted to 40 registered miners. Dennison’s explanation was aimed at presenting the current operation as one functioning within a defined and regulated framework, rather than in the uncontrolled manner critics have suggested.
The GGMC Commissioner also addressed complaints about restricted access to the mining district, an issue that gained attention after APNU Members of Parliament including Dr. Terrence Campbell, Sharma Solomon, Saiku Andrews and Sherod Duncan said they were denied entry to the area in late March. The opposition MPs had argued that the move prevented them from carrying out their parliamentary responsibilities and raised concerns about transparency. Dennison, however, said restricted access is standard across the extractive sector and is necessary to ensure safety, security and compliance with mining regulations. He added that such restrictions are not targeted at any particular individual or group, and said requests have been handled in similar ways where there is no relevant financial, technical or operational reason for access.
At the same time, Dennison directly rejected claims that millions of U.S. dollars in gold are being smuggled out of Marudi each day. He said the Guyana Gold Board has a presence at the project site specifically to reduce that risk and monitor production. According to him, all gold extracted from the site must be declared to the Gold Board, which is embedded there to support compliance and guard against illicit movement. His comments were a direct response to remarks made by opposition figures after their visit to the area, during which allegations were repeated that residents had spoken of major daily gold outflows from the district.
Dennison argued that anyone familiar with mining would recognise that the scale of smuggling being described is not feasible or sustainable under normal mining conditions. He said the figures being cited would require extraordinary ore grades, exceptional processing capacity and material movement on a scale that would be difficult to conceal. He also urged commentators, especially those with public influence, to be responsible in how they speak about the issue and to seek proper information rather than relying on hearsay or unverified sources.
The controversy over Marudi has also unfolded alongside concerns about the presence of Brazilian miners in the Rupununi, including allegedly, Rodrigo Martins de Mello, also known as Rodrigo Cataratas, a convicted Brazilian miner whose name recently resurfaced in public discussion. During a stakeholder meeting convened on March 14 by the South Rupununi District Council and others, assurances were reportedly given that he is no longer operating in the area. Still, concerns have continued, particularly after social media images showed him in the company of senior government officials, adding to public unease over foreign involvement in mining operations there.
Dennison, however, said the GGMC treats allegations of smuggling seriously and encouraged anyone with credible information to report it to the relevant authorities. His statement now places the Commission firmly on the record in defence of the current regulatory arrangements at Marudi, even as opposition concerns, community unease and questions over access and oversight continue to keep the mining district under public scrutiny.
