Artisanal Gold Mining Activities in Suriname

This report comprises an initial assessment of the artisanal gold mining activities in Suriname to serve as a basic document to formulate a technical cooperation program between Suriname government and UNIDO.

The artisanal mining sector in Suriname seems to be out of control, as the Government has weak presence in the interior of the country. The invasion of Brazilian “garimpeiros” is rampant and somehow welcomed by the local miners in the interior who have learned semi-mechanized mining techniques. The concept of panning for subsistence, alive in the Maroons for almost a century, has been replaced with the practice of large and profitable mining operations. This would be very beneficial for the people in the interior if carried out in an organized fashion. But the Brazilian “invasion” is also degrading moral, social and environmental standards. At this point, there is no apparent conflict between Brazilians and Surinamese miners, but between Brazilians and bandit groups. Number of artisanal miners in Suriname ranges from 8,000 to 15,000. This latter number seems to be more accurate since there are 8,000 Brazilian “garimpeiros” already registered in the Ministry of Labor. Annual gold production in Suriname might range from 8 to 12 tonnes. The environmental impacts caused by miners are localized at some areas of the greenstone belt in the southeast of Suriname. Most mining pits are still shallow but the lack of adequate mining techniques is causing noticeable damages to the watercourses. Villagers are facing siltation problems and losing their sources of drinking water. Malaria, lechmaniosis and prostitution are spreading rapidly in the interior. Local miners are adopting the same gypsy characteristics of the Brazilian “garimpeiros” and going after profitable goldfields elsewhere. Families are being destroyed. Young natives are no longer interested in farming and agriculture. Mining became an economic alternative for the people in the interior who are completely marginalized from the rest of the country. The high grade of gold in the alluvial, colluvial and elluvial ores in Suriname indicates that the gold rush is just beginning and more people from Paramaribo and foreigners will be soon involved in this activity. Mercury has been extensively used by artisanal miners, including women and children. The lack of knowledge about the danger of mercury vapors is exposing innocent people to high doses of this pollutant. Mercury is freely sold in Suriname and most miners, by ignorance, use excess mercury to amalgamate the whole ore. The effect of methylmercury bioaccumulation in fish is still unknown but definitely high values must be found in some mining zones. The effect of hydroelectric impoundment in increasing mercury concentration in carnivorous fish was not yet evaluated in Suriname. A project proposal to establish a Foundation for Experimental Mining is attached to this report. This idea has been an aspiration of the Surinamese Geological Mining Service to re-establish its presence in the interior as well as to bring discipline and provide artisanal miners with techniques to reduce environmental impacts. The Foundation has been conceived to create various Experimental Mining Centers in specific mining concessions in which miners may learn simple procedures of geological exploration, mining and mineral processing while producing gold. The concept is similar to the UNECA Centers promoted by UNIDO but goes beyond the amalgamation and decontamination services and reinforces the educational role of the original proposal. Through the Foundation, artisanal miners and communities can also receive support and advice on issues related to legalization of mining activities, creation of social benefits and funds, organization of miners, occupational health, safety, family matters, bookkeeping and reduction of environmental impacts. The implementation of this or any project related to mining in Suriname must have as a prerequisite the establishment of the Minerals Institute or other type of authority that brings organization to the sector in the Government domain.