Suriname’s regulatory body for the small-scale gold sector has taken decisive action against unauthorized mining operations inside a protected national nature reserve, seizing mining equipment and ordering illegal prospectors to leave the ecologically sensitive area.
The Commission for the Ordering of the Small-Scale Gold Sector (OKGS) launched an inspection of Brownsberg Nature Park on Tuesday this week, following confirmed reports of unpermitted gold extraction activity at multiple sites across the protected territory. Managed by the Suriname Nature Conservation Foundation (STINASU), Brownsberg Nature Park is one of the country’s key protected ecological areas, home to unique biodiversity and fragile ecosystems that are highly vulnerable to the destructive impact of unregulated mining.
During the inspection, OKGS teams discovered stockpiles of gold mining equipment near the Irenevallen waterfall, which were immediately seized as evidence. All illegal miners found on site were formally ordered to evacuate the protected zone immediately. The inspection also included working discussions with STINASU to clarify the formal boundary line of the protected area, a step designed to eliminate ambiguity around zones where all gold extraction activities are permanently prohibited.
OKGS was established specifically to improve governance of Suriname’s growing small-scale gold mining sector, with a multi-pronged mandate that includes addressing widespread environmental degradation, cracking down on unlicensed activity and associated criminal networks, regulating financial flows within the sector, and ensuring the Surinamese state captures a fair share of revenue from gold production and export. The commission operates in close coordination with a range of national and local stakeholders, including the Ministries of Justice and Security, Defense, and Natural Resources, STINASU, traditional community leaders, and district commissioners, with participating partners adjusted based on the specific region of operations.
As part of its broader sector reform push, OKGS launched a six-month pilot registration program for all individuals working in or connected to the small-scale gold sector in early July. The soft launch of the registration scheme is rolling out across multiple mining regions over the half-year pilot period. Miners seeking formal registration can also submit applications directly at the OKGS headquarters located at 181 Mr. Jagernath Lachmonstraat. Officials confirmed that follow-up inspections of the Brownsberg area will be conducted in the near future to ensure no illegal mining activity resumes, as part of ongoing efforts to bring structured regulation to the small-scale gold sector and protect Suriname’s critical natural protected areas.