Rosebel Gold Mines says it reported the mining activities at Pelin Bergi to the government as early as January 2020 and requested intervention at the time.
More than six years later, members of De Nationale Assemblée (Suriname’s parliament), Rabin Parmessar and Michael Marengo, are asking President Jennifer Simons to immediately and temporarily halt extraction and processing at that site. They want to know who is active there, under which permits this is taking place and what the government has done since the first report.
Parmessar and Marengo made their request in a letter dated September 25, following a visit to Pelin Bergi near Kwakoegron on September 19. According to the DNA members, a significant part of the mountain has been excavated and material is being transported on a large scale to processing sites. Earlier reporting on their visit also described excavators, trucks and basins at the site.
Rosebel stated on September 23 that it holds exploration rights, but no rights for commercial gold mining in the area. The company says it is not carrying out the reported mining activities itself, has not given anyone permission to do so, and has repeatedly requested the authorities’ assistance since 2020. According to Rosebel, the activities hinder its own exploration work; the company also cites safety risks at the site.
Questions about oversight and revenues
The DNA members’ letter focuses on what remains unclear. They ask the government to establish which individuals and companies are active at Pelin Bergi, on what legal basis they are operating and what inspections have been carried out in recent years. They also want to know how much gold has been extracted and transported, how that production has been recorded and whether all amounts owed to the State have been paid.
Parmessar and Marengo also request an investigation into the role of all parties involved, including Rosebel. They write that during their visit, vehicles were seen that those present linked to the company, but stress that no conclusions may be drawn from this without further investigation.
Investigation into possible pollution
The DNA members also express concern about the possible use of cyanide and the discharge of waste materials and contaminated water. Rosebel also says it is concerned about reports of chemicals, but states that investigations and laboratory tests must determine which substances were used and what the consequences are for soil and water. Based on the letter and Rosebel’s statement, there is as yet no independent investigation result confirming pollution.
Parmessar and Marengo want the competent authorities to secure the area and immediately begin an independent investigation. In their view, extraction and processing activities must be suspended during that investigation. Rosebel also asks the authorities for inspections, an investigation into possible environmental damage and measures against the activities that the company considers unauthorised.
It is not clear from the available statements whether the government carried out inspections or took measures following Rosebel’s report in 2020. Nor has it been established whether the activities at Pelin Bergi have since been halted.
