Belizean companies will be allowed in gold panning area
Friends for Conservation and Development has been at the front lines against gold panning in the Chiquibul by Guatemalan nationals. When the illegal activities were first reported, there was a huge hue and cry because about three hundred Guatemalans were operating well within the national park. In an update to that story, the Department of the Environment reports that the issue is being handled at a diplomatic level because of the Guatemalan dispute. But according to DOE depending on damage assessments, charges can be levied by the department. In an interview with News Five, the Chief Environmental Officer also said that Belizean companies will be allowed in the area.
Martin Alegria, Chief Environmental Officer, D.O.E.
Martin Alegria
“We have received, during the past year or so interest from local companies, Belizean companies, to do exactly that—to mine for gold and other minerals in that same area. In accordance with our legislation, an EIA is required for those activities within protected areas and hence we informed those companies accordingly. One of them has advanced to the extent that a public hearing was held in San Ignacio I think some weeks ago, a site visit was conducted during last week from Tuesday through Thursday—difficult terrain to reach—but we went there and they explained what they wanted to do from the environmental perspective. My officers informed me that they did go to the site that these illegal incursions have been mining and what a difference between what environmental consciousness and operating with total disregard to natural resources and environmental protection, which is what they did, the illegal incursions. But the way we look at it, contribution to the issue is let’s put Belizean companies there with Belizeans present to do exactly what they are thinking of doing and are doing in order to have a presence, maximize the benefit to Belizeans and Belize’s economy and proceed with it. so hopefully in the next few weeks, we’ll have one company established legally with environmental consciousness and hopefully another one that is expressing interest may be dealt with similarly. Based on the EIA that was presented by Boiton Minerals, Mr. Boiton; is that he has been in there for decades in that neighborhood, operating on the ground. He plans to be there for decades more and that’s the reason why he’s serious about doing it the right way. His observation in the EIA is that there is gold there, apart from other ministers, confirmed by the Geology Department, now to strike at the exact vane that is what he has been trying to. Hopefully he succeeds and Belizeans can benefit from such mineral issues.”
A step in the right direction. Let’s make sure that any licenses or concessions are handed out fairly, without regard to friendship, abnormal family, and political parties. It should be open to all Belizeans equally and fairly.
And it should be regulated to avoid excessive and unnecessary harm to the environment.
This is something that I welcome (to a certain degree), as it’s better for Belizeans to exploit Belizean resources as opposed to illegal settlers from Guatemala. It would also help to add additional streams of revenue for national economic development.
son you will here borrow ‘s gold and precios metals corparation, marin’s gold mining company. and so forth. All minister and close ministers family digging for gold due to special concessions
These companies will have a bonanza as there will surely be an intentional lack of monitoring
The illegal incursion “issue is being handled at a diplomatic level.” Like that is really going to help! Guatemala has no intention of dealing with the problem. Again, where is the political will to confront the problem and deal with it?
And what will be done about the Guatemalan taxi drivers running taxi in the Cayo district area?
Hell what a f*&&*&*(*& shame !!!
Think the Belizean economy is given any boost by having Guatemalan taxi drivers operating in the Cayo District, then those same drivers go DRINKING their loot at Champon bar in the so called no man`s land at Melchor?
Hurray !!! Mayors of Benque and San Ignacio!!!
Me, I totally agree with you, cud add a lot more of those to the list. LOL what a joke, do we look like idiots?
Gold prospecting I think this is a great idea.
It will get the locals much needed money and it will bring
income to Brlize.
Open trench gold mining, rock crushers, tailing piles, silt ponds, and a fuel depot in the heart of the pride of Belize, our most important national park?
This is not a good solution to illegal gold panning. What is next, oil wells? A toxic waste dump?
The true value of the park is not in the gold underneath but the wilderness it gives to future generations. The gold isn’t going anywhere, leave it for children yet unborn.