The Chinese Landing Village Council has declined an invitation to attend another mediation meeting with representatives connected to a mining dispute in Tassawini, saying village leaders cannot leave the community while protests and efforts to move mining equipment continue.
In a letter addressed to Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Commissioner Newell Dennison, Toshao Nikita Miller said the Council remains open to mediation but believes the process cannot be fair under current conditions.
Miller noted that residents have been protesting for several days over attempts to bring additional mining equipment into Tassawini. The Council said the situation requires its members to remain in the village with residents rather than travel to Georgetown for talks involving Ms. Dodson and Mr. Vieira.
Miller argued that a mediation process cannot succeed if one party feels pressured or faces an imbalance of power. The Council said it cannot participate meaningfully while Mr. Vieira or Mr. Adolphus may still move equipment into the area.
The Toshao said after operators could not reach mining blocks through Tassawini Landing, barges were moved to Kariako in an attempt to transport equipment along the road. The Village Council described the move as inconsistent with good-faith mediation.
Chinese Landing Village Council said it will consider participating in mediation once Mr. Vieira’s equipment has been removed from village lands and the GGMC guarantees that all preparatory and mining activity at Tassawini has stopped.
