Six arrested for illegal underground mining in Guyana, including Chinese and Brazilian nationals

Six people — one Chinese national and five Brazilians — were arrested Thursday for operating an unauthorised underground mining shaft in Guyana. The Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed the arrests on Friday.

Six held for illegal underground mining in Guyana's mining district

Six persons, including one Chinese national and five Brazilians, were arrested Thursday for illegal mining operations in one of Guyana's mining districts, Kaieteur News reports.

The Ministry of Natural Resources said Friday that the individuals were discovered operating an underground mining operation through a shaft without the required government approval. The six were detained during an enforcement action by authorities.

No names of the arrested individuals have been released. It remains unclear at what stage the operation was when it was uncovered, or how long the shaft had been in use.

The ministry did not specify which mining district was involved, nor did it indicate whether any equipment was seized at the site.

Illegal mining — often referred to as "pork-knocking" in Guyana — remains a persistent challenge in the country's interior regions, where enforcement is complicated by remote terrain and limited access. Foreign nationals have frequently been implicated in unlicensed operations, particularly in gold-bearing areas.

The six individuals remain in custody. No further details on charges or court dates have been made public as of the time of reporting.

Source: Kaieteur News