Suriname pledges crackdown on illegal gold mining, protects forest cover
The Surinamese government announces a plan to combat illegal mining and mercury pollution while maintaining 90% of its forest cover. Legal gold production in the country totals about one million ounces annually. Illegal miners operate along the Lawa River, clearing forest and contaminating waterways with mercury. A Wayana chief controls the sole airstrip in the region, giving him leverage over miners, and relations have sometimes turned violent. The Mulokot Foundation is mapping Wayana ancestral lands and promoting education to create sustainable alternatives to mining.
Key facts
- The Wayana chief's control of the only airstrip gives him strategic influence over mining access.
- Violent incidents have occurred between the chief and miners due to access disputes.
- The Mulokot Foundation focuses on education and territorial mapping to support non‑mining livelihoods.
- Illegal mining along the Lawa River leads to deforestation and mercury contamination of rivers.
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Why it matters
It aims to preserve biodiversity and safeguard indigenous communities from environmental harm.
What changed
First published from Mongabay