Crystallex International

About three thousand people already counted in both basins
Illegally invade Caroni and Paragua rivers

Source: Press CIEV
5/2/11

The Center for Scientific Research of Venezuela, reported that about three thousand people are in the basins of the Caroni and Paragua rivers, and in the western sector of Canaima National Park and adjacent to San Salvador de Paul, to extract gold and diamonds , affecting the majestic lands.


Again, the Center for Scientific Research of Venezuela (CIEV) receives dozens of calls to alert the massive incursion of illegal gold mining and diamond, endangers the already affected the Caroni River basin and Alto Paragua.
This was announced by the holder of the environmental NGO, Alejandro Lanz, who highlighted how indigenous spokespersons from the communities of the beautiful and Candelaria have made strides to inform how several weeks ago has increased the number of Brazilians and Guyanese in their habits' s, as well as sectors of the Guacharaquita, Parupa, Parupita, La Pelota, El Merey and Avenki, all coming to the area of San Salvador de Paul.
"As we reported in this whole area belonging to the western edge of Canaima National Park is conducting large-scale illegal mining with hydraulic motors, and have enabled several rafts in the Caroni River in this area (...) has informed us which are about two thousand illegal, "said Lanz.
In this sense warned of air movements that are taking place at the local airport of La Paragua, to supply of food, mining equipment and other materials for illegal mines.
"We do not understand how government agencies responsible for monitoring practice is not seen nothing wrong with the dozens of flights departing planes loaded (...) La Paragua also on the controls and use of fuel that is carried to the mines," he said.
In this regard, it was learned that, allegedly "The Fucho" and "The Roquito" have control of fuel for the mines, transferring in toyotas by the trail of La Paragua to Paul.
"They are, from 4 to 6 toyotas that come daily to Paul, each loaded with 10 drums of 200 liters each (...) and we wonder why nobody sees them, how they can get as much fuel while regulated by guides the delivery of it. " asks ecologist.
Also notes with equal concern, gravity involved, the invasion also mining the Alto Paragua, who had remained stable until weeks ago.
"We have received reports of an incursion by about 600 thousand miners have gone up the river Paragua, mostly Guyanese and Brazilians, and rafts have been installed in areas known Paramichí and Boca de Mono" he said.
Lanz highlights, how to dye has become the hydrographic map of Bolivar state of ocher, due to the removal of sediment, the tailings and mercury contamination, all, environmental damage and ecocide that affect the vulnerable regional ecosystems and the and tangible consequences of the decline in power generation.

Fuel Resale

The calls CIEV relevant agencies in relation to the allocation list of guidelines for the purchase of fuel in the towns of La Paragua, Km 88, El Dorado, Tumeremo, Guasipati, El Callao and Santa Elena de Uairen, due to they are having gas-oil and gasoline to the illegal mines throughout the region.
"Many of the guidelines were issued by the Mission Piar at the time, but today are already obsolete or outdated and that even small-scale mining is practiced in them, as is the case Bizcaetarra.
"It is imperative a revision of the mining cooperatives now fitted with fixed quotas for fuel, since most machines do not even have gold or are working in the permissive areas and awarded by the national government (...) this review with a scheme to monitor fuel quotas are delivered will expose the true fate of thousands of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel are delivered legally, but they are going to stop illegal mining in the Alto Paragua, Caroni Paul and Urim, "said the ecologist. Press CIEV




Exhortation

From CIEV we call on President Hugo Chavez Frias, the Military High Command, the Defense Minister and Chief of Operations Rangel Silva, who have always been attentive to our organization as a spokesperson for Guyanese communities concerned about regional environmental degradation, to activate the action for the conservation of natural resources of Guyana, whose environmental services than the rich too much ground to loot and smuggle illegal to Guyana and Brazil, leaving misery and environmental damage to Venezuelans while they enjoy their royalties abroad, "concluded Alexander Lanz.