The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has condemned the mining incursion into Chinese Landing Village, Region One, citing that the miner and his representatives are violating the community’s land rights.
The organisation is calling for the immediate intervention of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to halt the operations and uphold the constitutional protections afforded to Indigenous Peoples in Guyana.
The APA said the latest developments in Chinese Landing reflect a wider national concern: mining operations continuing in or near Indigenous territories without proper respect for communities’ property rights, security, health and wellbeing.
The association expressed solidarity with Toshao Nikita Miller, the Chinese Landing Village Council (CLVC), and residents who have been defending their lands during the recent standoff with Vieira’s mining operations. The APA noted that the community has been engaged in efforts to protect its territory for nearly three decades.
Chinese Landing received its land title in 1976, which was reissued in 1991 under the State Lands Act. The title predated Vieira’s first prospecting permits in the area, which were reportedly issued in 1998. The titled area includes Tassawini, where the disputed mining activity has taken place. In 2018, the village received a Certificate of Title reaffirming and demarcating its boundaries.
According to the APA, Vieira’s mining activities are occurring within those village boundaries.
The APA said Chinese Landing has experienced incursions associated with Vieira’s gold-mining operations since 2004, after negotiations between the miner and the village broke down over the renewal of a 1998 agreement.
The Village Council again attempted to renegotiate improved terms in 2009, when Vieira sought to continue operating in Tassawini. However, the parties did not reach an agreement. The APA maintains that mining has nevertheless continued in the area without the consent of the CLVC.
Since 2018, the council has reported an increase in mining activity and its impacts on residents, the environment and the community’s ability to govern its lands.
Among the impacts cited by the APA are:
Pollution of waterways, including Huri Creek, which residents previously used as a clean-water source; villagers have reported rashes, vomiting and diarrhoea as mining intensified.
Damage to village lands, farms and hunting grounds that support residents’ livelihoods.
Threats and reported violence involving mining personnel, with the APA alleging that these reports have not been adequately investigated.
Erosion of the Village Council’s authority to govern its titled land.
Disruption of residents’ daily livelihoods and family life.
Increased mercury levels among people living in Chinese Landing and surrounding areas.
The APA also raised concerns about water turbidity and pollution affecting the Barama River, as well as possible mercury contamination affecting Chinese Landing and neighbouring communities including Kariako, Kokerite and Koriabo.
Mediation undermined
The CLVC and Vieira were recently engaged in a mediation process facilitated by the GGMC. However, the APA said actions allegedly taken by Vieira on 21 August 2026 undermined confidence in that process.
According to the association, the village was not informed about Vieira’s access to the mining area and did not give consent for continued gold mining in Tassawini. It argued that mediation cannot proceed in good faith while mining operations continue in disputed territory without the council’s agreement.
“The current standoff in Chinese Landing highlights the level of desperation faced by the community, and the lengths to which they must go to secure their land and the future of generations to come,” the APA said.
The APA contends that the conduct of the miner and the response of state agencies conflict with Section 48 of the Amerindian Act and Section 80 of the Mining Act, which it says protect Indigenous communities’ right to consent to or refuse medium-scale mining on their lands.
The APA is urging the government to immediately halt the mining operations, protect Chinese Landing’s land rights, and support a peaceful resolution that safeguards the community while respecting residents’ livelihoods.
