Cyanide found in live fish; Grassalco held liable

The fish die-off in the Saramacca River is, according to the government, more serious than could previously be determined. President Jennifer Simons said earlier today following emergency consultations that she is not satisfied with the research results, because heavy metals and chemical substances were found in live fish. Cyanide has also been detected in the fish species examined, according to the National Environmental Authority (NMA). The advice not to consume fish from the Saramacca River for the time being therefore remains in force.

According to Simons, the government is “far from finished” with the matter. The captains of the affected communities have now been informed. On Friday, the government wants to discuss more extensively with the traditional authorities and residents what the results mean, what measures are needed and how support for the communities should be further organised.

Key News reported earlier on Thursday that the Office of the President had convened emergency consultations due to the results of the investigation. The fish die-off was identified at the end of June in the vicinity of Moeroekreek and led to extensive investigations in Suriname and abroad.

Investigation into fish die-off in Saramacca River points to Moeroekreek

According to the president, the NMA has indicated that the Moeroekreek is considered the probable origin of the environmental incident. The investigation points to activities on a concession held by state mining company Grassalco, where a company was operating. The government has therefore decided to formally hold Grassalco liable for the damage caused and expects the company to also contribute to limiting and remedying the consequences.

According to Simons, Grassalco informed the government that measures have already been taken and that the company operating in the area has been relocated. The government is still expecting a written explanation on this matter. A formal letter regarding the liability claim would be sent later .

Fish from the Saramacca River should not be consumed for the time being.

Mixed team conducts inspections in mining areas

On Friday, a mixed team, including the NMA, police, military and other security services, will be sent to parts of the interior. The team must determine whether mining companies comply with the applicable safety requirements. According to the president, companies that fail to comply may be temporarily shut down until they meet the requirements.

Simons stressed that the government wants to gain more clarity on how gold mining is conducted in the interior. According to her, there is a risk that an incident such as the fish die-off in the Saramacca River will occur again if insufficient oversight is exercised over mining activities and the use of chemicals.

NMA finds substances in water and live fish

NMA director Vanuessa Gefferie said that the investigation examined water quality, sediment and fish. According to her, the research data contained various chemical substances and metals, including arsenic and manganese. Cyanide was also found. Heavy metals and cyanide were also detected in the live fish examined.

The government has therefore opted for a precautionary consumption advisory. Pregnant women and young children in particular are urgently advised not to eat fish from the Saramacca River. Simons stated that residents further downstream, including towards Groningen, should also remain cautious for the time being as long as the follow-up investigation has not been completed. This advice was also emphasised by Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Andre Misiekaba, who also attended the emergency press conference.

Follow-up investigation in lower reaches of Saramacca River

According to the president, conditions in the area upstream of Moeroekreek are more favourable based on the available information, because there are fewer disruptive mining activities there. There are far more mining activities in areas around Maripaston, Gunsi and Villa Brazil.  The NMA director also indicated that mining activities there have been temporarily halted. This will allow the government to conduct additional measurements further downstream in the river.

The investigation into the fish die-off in the Saramacca River has so far cost the state approximately USD 50,000, Simons said. The investigation will not be discontinued. New tests must clarify how fish stocks and water quality develop further downstream and when it is responsible to adjust the existing warnings. “This means that the tributaries of the rivers and the ecological system will also be included in the investigation,” the NMA emphasised.

Precautionary advisory remains in force for now

The National Environmental Authority previously warned against consuming fish from the affected area and using river water for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing or swimming. Initial investigations then pointed to cyanide and mercury in water samples, but at concentrations below the standard. Due to the rapid breakdown and dilution of cyanide, earlier exposure could not be fully ruled out.

The latest findings are reason for the government to continue monitoring. Simons stressed that the warning for the Saramacca River remains in force for the time being. According to current information, the same consumption advisory does not apply to other rivers where there is no comparable mining pressure, including parts of the upper reaches of the Coppename River.

Gold sector must be organised differently on a structural basis

President Simons linked the fish die-off in the Saramacca River to a broader problem in the gold sector. According to her, existing systems introduced by other governments have not worked sufficiently, and isolated emergency measures are not enough. The government therefore wants a structural programme for regulation, oversight and environmental protection in gold mining. “Only in this way can we enforce better compliance.”

New mining rights and extensions will be critically reviewed for the time being, so that the government can better map what is happening in the interior. Discussions are also being held with the Ministry of Land Policy and Forest Management on designating more protected areas.  This means that no mining activities can take place there. According to Simons, the presence of gold does not mean that mining can be allowed everywhere. “Just because there is gold there does not mean that I can mine for gold there.”

Laboratories must cooperate more closely

In addition, the government wants to strengthen laboratory capacity. The Central Laboratory of the Bureau of Public Health and other laboratories must cooperate more effectively and determine which analyses can be conducted in Suriname and which capacity still needs to be developed. The safety of inspectors and researchers in the interior must also be guaranteed. “Because we have a gold sector, we must have all laboratory facilities to be able to conduct tests.”

Another important part of the policy will be the phasing out of harmful substances in gold mining. In the long term, the government wants to completely reduce the use of mercury. There must also be stricter control over the use and storage of other chemicals, including cyanide.

Structural assistance and compensation for affected residents

According to Simons, the government wants to prevent affected residents from receiving food parcels for only a few weeks. The communities must be consulted about structural support and compensation. “We will discuss this in depth with the local communities tomorrow.” Alternative ways of making a living must also be considered, because the pollution affects not only the food supply, but also incomes and traditional ways of life.

A programme is also being prepared for artisanal miners. They must be visited and guided to work more safely and in a more environmentally friendly manner. The government wants to explore financing options enabling miners to switch to techniques that are less harmful to people and the environment. According to the president, the gold sector itself will have to contribute financially to the organisation of the sector.

Marowijne River also comes into sharper focus

The government does not want to limit its approach to the Saramacca River. The situation around the Marowijne River must also be better mapped. Investigations must determine which substances are present in the water, sediment and fish, and what impact mining activities have on communities that depend on the river.

For the Saramacca River, the most important advice remains unchanged in the meantime: residents must remain cautious and should not consume fish from the river for the time being until follow-up research provides sufficient certainty about safety. The government expects that the upcoming inspections and new measurements will provide more clarity on the extent of the pollution and the measures that are necessary.