“Technically Impossible”: GGMC Commissioner Rejects MP’s Multi-Million Dollar Gold Smuggling Claims
By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison, has broken his silence to firmly debunk allegations of large-scale gold smuggling at the Marudi Mining District in Region 9. In a detailed video statement released on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Dennison dismissed claims made by Opposition Members of Parliament as “unsustainable” and lacking technical merit, asserting that the oversight mechanisms currently in place make such illicit activity virtually impossible at the scale alleged.
The controversy follows a recent standoff in which a delegation from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was reportedly denied access to the mining site, prompting public accusations that millions of US dollars in gold are being siphoned out of the country daily.
The Gold Board’s “Embedded” Security
A central pillar of Dennison’s rebuttal is the physical presence of the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) at the project site. Unlike other remote districts, Marudi operates under a specific compliance framework designed to catch illicit movement at the source.
- On-Site Monitoring: GGB officers are permanently embedded at the project to monitor production in real-time.
- Assessment of Recovery: GGMC officers are stationed to assess product recovery alongside declarations. Dennison noted that any “student of mining” could calculate that the volumes of gold required to meet the “millions of dollars” narrative simply do not align with the site’s current recovery capacity.
- Strict Compliance: All gold extracted must be declared immediately to the Gold Board on-site, a measure Dennison says acts as a primary deterrent against smuggling.
From Chaos to Stability: The Marudi Evolution
The Commissioner provided historical context for the district, including Mazoa Hill and surrounding areas, noting that the region has been under license since 2012 but has suffered from “substandard operations” for years.
- Past Negatives: Dennison admitted that in previous years, poor administrative performance led to unsafe mining practices, crime, and “unacceptable commercial activities.”
- The New Era of Cooperation: He argued that the current stability was achieved through a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Natural Resources, local indigenous communities, and miners to purge the district of illegal raiding and informal “wildcat” mining.
- National Interest: The objective remains exploiting the resources in the national interest through structured, licensed operations rather than the “unregulated chaos” of the past.
The “Access” Controversy
Addressing the blocking of APNU MPs from the site, the Commissioner suggested that the sensitivity of gold production and the presence of security protocols require regulated access. He cautioned against using a lack of access to fuel a “narrative of smuggling” that contradicts technical data.
- Report Credible Info: While debunking the current claims, Dennison emphasized that the GGMC does not ignore smuggling. He urged anyone—including Members of Parliament—with credible, evidence-based information to report it to the relevant authorities rather than making “unsustainable” public pronouncements.
Data Over Discourse
As the political row over Marudi continues, Commissioner Dennison’s intervention serves as a reminder that mining is a science of numbers. By challenging the opposition to “calculate and demonstrate” their claims, the GGMC is shifting the burden of proof back to the accusers. For now, the Commission maintains that the gold of Marudi is being accounted for, ounce by ounce, under the watchful eyes of the state.
