Guyana authorities seize gold and dredges in Puruni River mining crackdown

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Police Force conducted a crackdown on an illegal mining operation along the Puruni River in Region Seven on September 17, 2026. During the operation, authorities seized two water dredges and a quantity of gold.

Three individuals associated with the operation were taken into police custody and escorted to Puruni Landing as investigations continue. The enforcement action targeted mining activities occurring within the river’s protected buffer zone, which is a violation of national mining regulations.

This seizure is part of an intensified effort by the Ministry of Natural Resources to curb illegal mining. Recent enforcement activities in the Potaro Mining District have also resulted in the arrest of several non-nationals and the seizure of various equipment, including excavators, trucks, and generators.