Grassalco to further investigate pollution of the Saramaccarivier

The Saramacca River pollution was central on Friday, September 18, during consultations between President Jennifer Simons, the management and supervisory board of state mining company Grassalco, and Minister David Abiamofo of Natuurlijke Hulpbronnen. The reason was findings by the Nationale Milieu Autoriteit (National Environmental Authority) regarding the origin of the pollution and the possible involvement of activities in the Maripaston area.

According to Abiamofo, the initial reports point to a possible link with work carried out from Grassalco’s Maripaston concession. The minister stressed that the investigation is still ongoing. Grassalco has also engaged a foreign consultant to conduct its own investigation. Samples were taken and are being examined in both Suriname and Canada.

According to the minister, the government expects results from the laboratory tests in Suriname and Canada within approximately two weeks. Those findings should provide more clarity about what occurred in the area and what follow-up steps are needed. The consultations also focused on how the government and Grassalco communicate with residents and local communities.

Investigation into Saramacca River pollution expanded

The issue has been ongoing for several months. After fish deaths in the upper reaches of the river, the NMA began sampling water and fish earlier this year. Cyanide and mercury were found in the initial water analyses, but according to the NMA, the measured concentrations were then below the standard values. At the same time, elevated levels were measured for, among other things, iron, aluminium, manganese, suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand.

Based on those initial findings, the NMA considered the possibility of a one-off uncontrolled discharge of a chemical substance. Greater concerns arose during later investigations. At the end of August, the government reported that cyanide and heavy metals had been detected in water and fish from the area, and that indications pointed towards the area around the Moeroekreek.

New laboratory results should provide more clarity about the cause within two weeks.

Grassalco has its own samples examined

During the consultation with the president, it was discussed that attention should not be limited to Maripaston. The government also wants broader research into the use of heap leaching and other techniques within gold mining in Suriname. In heap leaching, a chemical solution is passed through ore material to extract valuable metals such as gold.

According to the government, this includes the question of whether existing rules and protocols for the storage, transport, use of chemicals and processing of residual material are being sufficiently observed and monitored. Abiamofo said monitoring and oversight must be tightened.

Local communities involved in further approach

The government wants not only to determine the direct cause of the Saramacca River pollution, but also to examine where the control system surrounding gold mining can be strengthened. Incidents in extraction areas can have consequences for river water, fish stocks and communities that depend on the river for food, water and transport.

The position of local and Indigenous communities was also discussed during the meeting. According to the government, a coordination team has been set up for requests and support from the affected areas. Grassalco has been asked to coordinate through this team and, for the time being, not to undertake separate initiatives towards communities.

Precautionary advice concerning the Saramacca River

The approach is in line with earlier warnings from the NMA. The authority previously advised residents in the affected area not to eat fish from the river and not to use river water for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing or swimming as long as safety could not be sufficiently established.

More information on the earlier measurement results and the investigation can be found at the Nationale Milieu Autoriteit. The body has carried out several rounds of sampling to determine the possible cause of the fish deaths and the extent of the pollution.

Earlier questions about Grassalco’s responsibility

Responsibility for the Saramacca River pollution has also been the subject of public and political debate in recent weeks. Key News previously reported that parliamentarian Mahinder Jogi wanted more clarity on which companies and individuals were actually active on Grassalco’s concession before it is definitively established who is responsible.

That earlier report can be read at Key News on the cyanide pollution and the Grassalco concession. Minister Abiamofo’s current wording, that the initial reports point to a possible link with activities from Maripaston, makes clear that the investigation into the precise source and circumstances has not yet been completed.

Suriname wants to strengthen its own laboratory capacity

Another point from the consultation is the capacity of laboratories in Suriname. The government wants to strengthen this so that samples can be examined more quickly within the country and Suriname is less dependent on foreign laboratories. In environmental cases, speed can be important because certain substances in water can break down, dilute or spread further over time.

The investigation results from Suriname and Canada may be decisive for the further assessment of the Saramacca River pollution, any liability, remediation measures and stricter controls within the gold sector. For residents along the river, the main concern remains when definitive clarity will be provided about the safety of water and fish.

The key points concerning the September 18 consultation, the possible link with the Maripaston concession, the investigation in Suriname and Canada, and the expected results within two weeks have been confirmed by the Kabinet van de President (Office of the President). ([Government of Suriname][1]) The earlier NMA investigations initially reported concentrations of cyanide and mercury below the standard values, alongside elevated levels of other parameters. Later government communications reported cyanide and heavy metals in water and fish and pointed to the area around the Moeroekreek as an investigative lead. ([NMAsuriname][2])