Konawaruk River
The Konawaruk River is a river in Potaro-Siparuni, Guyana. About 60 miles long,[1] it is a tributary of the Essequibo River, joining it just south of the Potaro River mouth at 5°18′N 58°55′W / 5.300°N 58.917°W.
About two miles from the juncture at the Essequibo, is Temple Bar falls.[2]
Mining, especially for gold, was the primary industry along the river as early as 1900, and being mined by British Guiana Consolidated Enterprise Limited in the 1950s. In 2003, an assessment by United Development International "verified reserves of over 400,000 ounces of gold" in the claim encompassing the Konawaruk.[3]
Pollution from extraction processes, including the use of missile dredges, has had a severe effect on the ecology of the river and environmentalists have considered it "dead" for its inability to support wildlife.[1] Illegal dredging operations are a constant threat.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Konawaruk River still heavily silted from mining". Stabroek News. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ Geologist, British Guiana Government (1900). Report on the Geology of the Essequibo, Potaro, Konawaruk and Demerara Rivers. C.K. Jardine, printer to the government of British Guiana. pp. 24–26.
- ^ "United Development International Announces $140,000,000USD Revenue Forecast for Guyana Operations". www.businesswire.com. 2003-10-13. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
- ^ Chabrol, Denis (2017-10-16). "Mining of river banks continues; wardens, drones to join fight". Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana. Retrieved 2021-01-06.
