Six foreign nationals, including Brazilians and one Chinese citizen, were detained on Wednesday after they were found conducting an unauthorised underground mining operation, the Ministry of Natural Resources has said.
In a statement on Friday, the ministry said the group was discovered operating through a shaft in one of Guyana’s mining districts without the required approval. It did not identify the district or provide a breakdown of the nationalities of the other detainees.
The arrests were made during a joint operation by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s Corps of Wardens and the Guyana Police Force.
The six remain in police custody as investigations continued, the statement said.
The ministry warned that mining districts countrywide remain under surveillance as part of efforts to detect and curb illegal operations. It reminded miners and operators—whether Guyanese or foreign nationals—that they must obtain the necessary licences, permissions and regulatory approvals before commencing mining.
Those found operating in breach of the country’s mining laws and regulations will face prosecution, the ministry added.
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