Simons shares Moeroekreek fish die-off findings in DNA: “We are going to poison our rivers”

The pollution of the Saramacca River, according to President Jennifer Simons, has consequences that go beyond the mass fish deaths recorded at the end of June. The president informed the National Assembly on Thursday about the research findings. Analyses show high concentrations of various chemical substances in the water. Heavy metals and cyanide were also found in samples of live fish. According to Simons, the research report will also be officially submitted to parliament.

The government is therefore continuing to uphold precautionary measures for residents along the river. Fish from the affected section of the Saramacca River should not be eaten for the time being, and river water should not be used until its safety has been established. Residents further downstream, including around Groningen, have also been advised to remain cautious. Structural support, including safe water and food, is being arranged for communities around Pikin Saron.

According to the president, the investigation cost Suriname more than USD 50,000. Some of the samples had to be sent to laboratories abroad because the required testing capacity is not fully available locally. Simons therefore says that strengthening Surinamese laboratories is receiving explicit attention. The government wants to be able to conduct reliable analyses itself more quickly in future environmental cases.

Pollution of the Saramacca River leads to action against Grassalco

The pollution of the Saramacca River has now also led to steps concerning liability. According to the research findings, the likely starting point of the pollution is in the vicinity of the Moeroekreek. Activities took place there within a concession of the state mining company Grassalco. According to the government, an entrepreneur operating within that concession area caused the pollution.

Grassalco has now received a formal letter. President Simons states that the state-owned company bears shared responsibility for what happens within its concession area. The government therefore expects Grassalco to contribute to limiting the damage, supporting the affected communities and, where necessary, providing compensation. Key News previously reported that residents of Pikin Saron had already called for a structural solution and fair compensation.

“If we continue like this, we will destroy and poison our rivers.”

Government wants to regulate gold sector more strictly

According to Simons, the pollution has once again confronted the government with the consequences of years of insufficient oversight in the gold sector. She has asked Minister David Abiamofo of Natural Resources to temporarily halt the issuance of new concessions. At the same time, the government wants to bring greater transparency to existing concessions, so that it becomes clearer who is active where and what responsibilities concession holders have.

The use of mercury is also receiving more attention. Suriname is a party to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the international treaty intended to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury. The government says it wants to work towards further reducing and ultimately eliminating mercury, while gold mining must be organised in a more sustainable and controllable manner.

Satellite images for monitoring mining activities

In addition to stricter regulations, the government wants to deploy modern technology to better monitor mining activities. President Simons says steps have already been taken to use satellite images to map activities on Surinamese territory and in territorial waters. She referred to an existing agreement with the United States.

The president also wants certain areas to be completely excluded from activities that pose a major environmental risk. According to her, the pollution of the Saramacca River makes clear that continuing without strict oversight can lead to serious and long-term damage to rivers. Simons warned that Suriname cannot afford to have important waterways poisoned by mining activities.

Residents must continue to follow precautionary measures

For affected residents, the practical question of when fishing and the use of river water can safely resume remains central. The government has indicated that the precautionary measures will remain in force for the time being. Residents are being informed through traditional authorities, and the authorities want to make further arrangements regarding assistance, monitoring and possible compensation.

The National Environmental Authority and the ministries involved will have to continue monitoring the situation. At the same time, parliament will receive the research report, making political oversight of the announced measures possible as well. The results of the investigation into the pollution of the Saramacca River therefore place not only liability for this specific pollution, but also oversight of the broader gold sector, firmly back on the national agenda.