Second Mining Camp Raided by Armed Bandits in Region Seven

Another gold mining operation in the Sewanda Backdam area has fallen prey to armed criminals, coming hot on the heels of a major robbery just one week earlier.

Second Mining Camp Raided by Armed Bandits in Region Seven

Another gold mining operation in Guyana's Sewanda Backdam area was reportedly hit by armed criminals on Sunday, barely one week after a previous large-scale theft in the same location.

Information shared with Kaieteur News indicates that the most recent strike happened on June 22. This comes after four masked assailants stormed two neighbouring camps on June 15, seizing over 45 ounces of unrefined gold, money, jewellery, two ATVs, groceries, clothing, and internet gear. The combined haul from that earlier raid was estimated at around $44.6 million.

During the June 15 incident, the attackers reportedly forced labourers at both sites to continue their wash-down work while pointing weapons at them. The older of the two Brazilian victims, aged 50, suffered physical injuries when the robbers assaulted him. Police eventually located the abandoned all-terrain vehicles close to the Puruni River, though the culprits evaded capture.

The two targeted camps were operated by Brazilian nationals aged 44 and 50, located roughly 200 metres from each other. The younger man's losses included 15 ounces of gold, $150,000, and a red ATV. The elder lost 30 ounces of gold, several gold jewellery pieces, $300,000, and another red ATV.

As of publication, law enforcement officials in the region had not issued a formal statement regarding the June 22 attack. Nevertheless, sources suggest it unfolded in the identical backdam area.

The repeated raids underscore ongoing safety risks for miners working in remote parts of Guyana's interior.

Source: Kaieteur News