Goldmining in Guyana - the Failure of Government Oversight

ALL THAT GLITTERS: GOLD MINING IN GUYANA

THE FAILURE OF GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF AMERINDIAN COMMUNITIES

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CLINIC HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM, HARVARD LAW SCHOOL

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS MARCH 2007

C O NTENTS

Table of Acrony ms ....................................................................................................................................... iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................... iv Background .......................................................................................................................................................... iv Gold Mining’s Harmful Environmental, Health, and Social Effects ......................................................... iv The Regime Regulating Mining ......................................................................................................................... v Regulations............................................................................................................................................................ v Structural Impediments to Effective Oversight............................................................................................. vi Guyana’s Obligations Under International Law ........................................................................................... vii Recommendations to the Government of Guyana..................................................................................... viii Recommendations to the International Community .................................................................................... ix INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................ 1 C hapter 1: BACKGROUND ON GUYANA AND ITS GOLD MINING INDUSTRY...