SITUATION ANALYSIS OF THE SMALL-SCALE GOLD ... - WWF

Another key factor is the relationship between the various mining zones and the
customary settlement areas. The greenstone belt, and the mining regions and zones
associated with this formation, cross-cuts the customary residence areas of the Maroons
(“escaped slave communities”) and indigenous settlement areas. Approximately 50 or
more Maroon and indigenous villages are located in or very near this zone. Relations
between miners from Paramaribo and the inhabitants of the settled areas vary from region
to region. Some mining areas have been developed by villagers; other areas were
developed by persons from Paramaribo and migrant miners, but employ persons from
nearly communities.
The provisions of the Accord for National Reconciliation and Development of 1992, that
brought an end to the interior conflict, stipulate that an economic zone would be
demarcated around or near customary settlement areas, and that community members
could get SSGM permits in these zones. Article 36.3 of the current mining code stipulates
that SSM will only take place in zones set aside by the Minister of Natural Resources for
that purpose. These are provisions that call attention to the need for zoning not only as a
regulatory mechanism, but also as an instrument of conflict avoidance.
The issue is further complicated by the influx of migrant miners from Brazil. Prior to the
interior war a considerable number of Guyanese miners were active in the Marowijne
river region. During the interior war, the Rebel Leader promoted the recruitment of
Brazilian miners in the Marowijne river basin, and after the interior war their numbers
increased dramatically throughout the interior. The role and position of migrant miners
has to be addressed in the new mining policy and legislation. Opportunities for
legalization of status and attainment of mining rights should also be developed in the new
legislation. In order to stimulate compliance, the procedures should be effective and
efficient.
7. 5 A provisional model for zoning
The various gold mining regions in Suriname are usually depicted as large continuous
blocks of mining activity. Using this classification system, researchers typically
distinguish six to ten mining regions. The borders of these regions tend to be drawn rather
arbitrarily. Insufficient consideration is given to the natural features and boundaries of the
landscape, accessibility and transport networks, or organizational systems that are in
place in the various mining areas. Instead, we suggest that a zoning system be developed
that incorporates at least the following three criteria. The system must:
1) Reflect the natural pattern of alluvial mining which follows river beds in
watersheds and other natural features of the landscape;
2) Acknowledge existing legally described areas, formal, informal and customary
rules of organization, and
3) Be helpful to policy makers, assistance providers, monitoring and regulatory
agencies.
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