PARAMARIBO — Following the findings of the National Environment Authority (NMA) on the possible cause of the pollution of the Saramacca River, the president consulted with the Minister of Natural Resources (NH), management and the supervisory board (SB) of Grassalco. The state-owned company has now had its own investigation carried out by a foreign consultant. Samples have been taken and are being examined in both Suriname and Canada. This was communicated to President Jennifer Simons at her cabinet on Friday.
“The government is taking its responsibility. We expect the results from the Surinamese laboratories, but also from Canada, within two weeks,” says NH Minister David Abiamofo. According to him, the involvement of local and indigenous communities in further decision-making and communication has also been explicitly discussed.
“Grassalco has been asked to coordinate with this team and not to develop any separate initiatives for the time being”
According to Minister Abiamofo, the initial reports indicate a possible relationship with activities from Grassalco’s Maripaston concession. The government wants to look not only at the situation around Maripaston, but more broadly at the use of heap leaching and other gold mining processes in Suriname. Monitoring and compliance with existing protocols regarding, among other things, storage, transport, use and processing of residual material must also be tightened.
In addition, the strengthening of laboratory facilities in Suriname was discussed, so that the country is less dependent on foreign laboratories. A coordination team has been set up to handle requests from local communities. Grassalco has been asked to coordinate with this team and not to develop separate initiatives for the time being.
