Small man goes where the large fears to tread: Mining in Guyana: 1990-2018

Laing, Timothy

doi:10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.101426

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Although basins of the Guiana Shield are areas of great species richness and endemism (Alofs et al ., 2014; Lemopoulos & Covain, 2018; Lujan & Armbruster, 2011; Tedesco et al ., 2012), for more than 25 years they have been impacted by mining, which is an important source of income for the region (Laing, 2019). In these areas, conservation strategies for aquatic ecosystems and their fishes are increasingly inefficient (Reis, 2013), so much so that many species are already extinct in the wild before being described (Fontaine et al ., 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…L. cuffyi is distributed in the Essequibo and upper Negro River drainages in western Guyana and the upper Orinoco River drainage in Venezuela. These areas are currently affected by gold mining through the use of mercury (Hg) (Howard et al ., 2011; Laing, 2019; Machado‐Allison, 2017; Miller et al ., 2003; Watson et al ., 2020), a chemical element that has accumulated in both humans and fish in the area (Legg et al ., 2015; Machado‐Allison, 2017). It is therefore important to assess the status of natural populations of L. cuffyi , considering that it is exposed to the negative effects of Hg.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loricaria cuffyi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a new species of loricariin catfish from the Guiana Shield

Londoño-Burbano

Urbano-Bonilla

Thomas

2020

Journal of Fish Biology

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Loricaria cuffyi n. sp. is described based on 36 specimens from the Essequibo and upper Negro River drainages in western Guyana and the upper Orinoco River drainage in Venezuela. The new species can be distinguished from sympatric and geographically proximate congeners by a postorbital notch that is inconspicuous, shallow and rounded, odontode ridges on the dorsum of head and predorsal weakly developed, abdominal plates tightly joined and completely covering the median abdominal space and pectoral girdle, higher anterior lateral plate counts, and coloration characteristics. The distribution of the new species adds to an interesting and well‐documented biogeographical pattern exhibited by other Guiana Shield loricariids influenced by the proto‐Berbice during the Cenozoic and recent configuration of drainages in the Guiana Shield. We present an update on the taxonomy of Loricaria, and discuss the biogeography and conservation status of the new species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loricaria cuffyi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a new species of loricariin catfish from the Guiana Shield

Londoño-Burbano

Urbano-Bonilla

Thomas

2020

Journal of Fish Biology

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“…Former slaves started the 'pork-knocking' culture after emancipation, following on from previous activity by the original Amerindian inhabitants (Forte, 1999). This activity has become a crucial part of many communities throughout the country, and has boomed in recent years due to changes in the legal framework, immigration of skills, people and technology from Brazil, and increases in prices (Laing, 2019).…”

Section: Guyana Mining Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the impact of small-scale mining on the achievement of the sustainable development goals in Guyana

Laing

Moonsammy

2021

Environmental Science & Policy

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“…The Guyanese government is working towards the implementation of responsible mining in the gold industry, yet gold extraction as it is practiced has adverse impacts on the ecosystem, health, and wellbeing of Guyanese indigenous people. [11][12][13] First, alluvial gold-rich areas are located in zones that are in dispute or occupied by indigenous communities. 4,5,[11][12][13][14][15][16] Second, gold mining has not been a viable solution to the economic hardships experienced by indigenous communities who face barriers in access to adequate health care, education, and employment opportunities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[11][12][13] First, alluvial gold-rich areas are located in zones that are in dispute or occupied by indigenous communities. 4,5,[11][12][13][14][15][16] Second, gold mining has not been a viable solution to the economic hardships experienced by indigenous communities who face barriers in access to adequate health care, education, and employment opportunities. 12,13 Some communities experience greater health disparities (e.g., alcoholism, domestic abuse, rape, child prostitution, illicit drug use) despite the increased income to the local economy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of Methylmercury Exposures and Risk Factors Among Indigenous Communities in Guyana, South America

Watson

Hurtado-Gonzales²,

Chin³

et al. 2020

Journal of Health and Pollution

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Background. Gold mining activities in forested areas across Guyana have been a common practice for more than a century. The intensification of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in recent decades caused by global market demand is contributing to the mobilization of mercury into aquatic systems. Indigenous populations who consume high levels of locally sourced fish are greater at risk for methylmercury poisoning from ingestion of contaminated fish. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of mercury contamination and identify the risk factors associated with hair mercury levels in four indigenous communities in Guyana. Methods. Concentrations of total mercury were measured in hair samples from 99 participants from four indigenous communities in the south Rupununi region in Guyana. The findings of this study were compared with those of previous studies to assess the prevalence of mercury contamination in indigenous communities across Guyana. Results. Hair mercury levels were found to be above the World Health Organization (WHO) reference value for residents who live close to ASGM activities and who consume high quantities of locally sourced fish. Our results are not only consistent with those obtained in previous studies, but also evidence that mercury poisoning has become a generalized problem for indigenous communities in Guyana. Conclusions. Fish is the main source of protein for many riverine communities and consumption of mercury-contaminated fish poses a serious health hazard for these vulnerable populations. The situation is especially dire for community members of Parabara with 100% of participants showing elevated (>15 μg*g−1) hair mercury levels. It is therefore crucial that Parabara residents be evaluated by relevant health agencies for clinical symptoms related to mercury toxicity. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethics Approval. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Ministry of Public Health, Guyana. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Small man goes where the large fears to tread: Mining in Guyana: 1990-2018

Cited by 13 publications

References 41 publications

Loricaria cuffyi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a new species of loricariin catfish from the Guiana Shield

Loricaria cuffyi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), a new species of loricariin catfish from the Guiana Shield

Evaluating the impact of small-scale mining on the achievement of the sustainable development goals in Guyana

Survey of Methylmercury Exposures and Risk Factors Among Indigenous Communities in Guyana, South America

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