APNU Member of Parliament, Dr. Terrence Campbell is seeking unhindered access from the Ministry of Natural Resources for a team to visit Maurdi settlement in Region 9 to conduct inspections and assess working conditions.
In a letter dated June 15, 2026, addressed to Joslyn McKenzie, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Campbell requested official authorization for an upcoming fact-finding mission to the Marudi mines area. The move follows recent disputes and concerns over mining practices, safety, and law enforcement in the region.
In March this year, Members of Parliament, including Campbell, were denied entry to the Marudi mines by Newell Dennison, Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The MPs wanted to engage with residents and address mounting complaints. However, their visit was thwarted despite no ongoing road works or indications of involvement in illegal activities such as gold smuggling or environmental damage. Campbell said the refusal by Dennison was baseless and unlawful.
In a video posted on Facebook last night, Campbell noted that the refusal to have law makers visit the area was also supported by Rupununi Miners Association (RMA), which was deregistered by the Ministry of Labour in May 2023. The RMA attempted to defend Dennison’s actions, citing a purported “accident-free record” since late 2024 and emphasizing occupational safety. Nevertheless, recent reports, including a news article dated April 5, 2026, detailed the electrocution of a Brazilian national within the mines, raising safety concerns.
The MP’s have concerns about the presence of undocumented foreign workers in the area, some of whom may be subject to foreign law enforcement investigations. According to Campbell, video evidence and local reports have further alleged unlawful conduct by Vevakanand Dalip, a senior member of the RMA, accused of unilaterally seizing miners’ machinery and disrupting small-scale operations, actions that have caused significant financial hardship for local miners.
He said community reports have highlighted environmental and safety issues, including destruction of roads by tanker trucks servicing the mines during rainy seasons, despite existing regional directives aimed at protecting infrastructure.
MP Campbell outlined the objectives of team’s proposed visit to the Marudi mines area, which include examining the current mining operations, safety practices, compliance with relevant laws. The team aims to investigate ongoing allegations of unlawful seizure of equipment, illegal employment, and environmental degradation. Additionally, the visit will focus on engaging with small miners, local residents, and enforcement officials to gather evidence and identify necessary remedial actions to address these concerns.
The MP has requested that the Ministry of Natural Resources facilitate the visit by granting official authorization for a delegation of up to ten individuals, including parliamentarians, trade unionists, mining experts, and media personnel, to access the Marudi mines area in September 2026 without obstruction.
Additionally, the MP has asked for assistance in coordinating with regional and law enforcement authorities to ensure the safety of all participants and to enable productive meetings with enforcement officers where appropriate.
Campbell also requested written confirmation of approval, along with any conditions or points of contact, by June 30, 2026, to allow for appropriate logistical arrangements. Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat was copied in the letter.
In the video posted on Facebook, Campbell said he is prepared to take the necessary actions to ensure that the team visits Marudi unhindered to engage with the residents.
“Under no circumstances should we be prevented from entering Marudi and I’m prepared to take any action necessary to ensure that we are able to visit Marudi unhindered and to engage with the local residents to understand exactly what is going on behind there, not only in terms of mining, in terms of safety and so on, but also to get an assessment of what is most likely happening with gold smuggling. To Marudi we will return,” Campbell said.
During the confrontation at the entrance to the Marudi settlement in Region 9 in March, Campbell alleged that mining rights on Marudi Mountain have been taken over by certain Guyanese interests working in collusion with foreign entities. He further claimed that around $5 million USD worth of gold is being extracted and smuggled out of the area daily, often using helicopters.
