Rosebel Gold Mines reports ongoing illegal mining in Pelin Bergi

Rosebel Gold Mines (RGM) claims the Surinamese government has been aware of unauthorized mining activities in the Pelin Bergi area since January 2020. Despite multiple reports and requests for intervention, illegal mining continues to operate in the region, which RGM states is hindering its own exploration and project preparation.

RGM holds exploration rights in Pelin Bergi but does not possess exploitation rights, and the company emphasizes that it has not authorized any third-party mining activities. Since being acquired by Zijin in 2023, RGM has sought to conduct legitimate exploration, but safety risks posed by unauthorized miners have prevented such work.

Members of the National Assembly, Rabindre Parmessar and Michael Marengo, recently visited the area and have called on the president to temporarily halt all extraction and processing activities. The lawmakers expressed serious concerns regarding environmental damage, noting potential evidence of cyanide use in processing methods. They are advocating for independent soil and water analyses to assess the impact on the environment and public health.