It’s a known fact that Belize’s expansive and majestic Chiquibul Forest is home to rich gold deposits. In a May 2010 report, Geologist Jean Cornec said, “Belize holds intriguing gold potential in an under-explored region….”

Over the past two years, our newspaper has been reporting on mounting concerns, particularly expressed by Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), warning not just of increasing illegal extraction of flora and fauna deep inside protected areas, but also of increased theft of Belizean gold.

FCD’s Executive Director Rafael Manzanero told our newspaper today that the problem has been ignored, and so illegal gold panning has apparently escalated in the area.

“Reports now indicate that there may be up to 200 Guatemalan nationals engaged in the activity of gold panning. All indications are that the groups are increasing on a weekly basis. Observations made show that these individuals are operating without any fear as far as three to five miles inside Belize,” Manzanero told us.

Amandala spoke with Craig Moore, Inspector of Mines at the Geology and Petroleum Department, who said that the Department has been alerted to the illegal gold panning activities; however, they have referred the report to the Forest Department. Our attempts to reach Chief Forest Officer Wilber Sabido proved unsuccessful.

As is commonly reported by conservationists who manage the protected areas in the west and south, those operating illegally inside Belizean forests continue to elude Belizean law enforcement authorities.

FCD reports that last December, one person suspected of illegal gold panning was captured, but only charged for illegal entry.

The NGO said, “…our reports and calls to the [Geology] and Petroleum Department were futile and they never did appear at the San Ignacio Police Station to further investigate the matter.”

It added that two months later, in February 2012, three Guatemalans found near the Chiquibul River, by a large milpa field, inside the Chiquibul National Park, were found with basic equipment, rations and tools used for conducting gold panning.

“The persons detained commented that they were just passing by that area heading towards Monte Los Olivos,” Manzanero recounted.

FCD calls for specific action to help curb the illegal activities: (1) get pertinent authorities to do a thorough investigation of the impacts and magnitude of the matter immediately; (2) conduct a tight inter-agency coordination mechanism where all parties and security forces can deal with this matter effectively and efficiently; (3) strengthen Belize’s regulations to make it stiffer for such environmental crimes in protected areas; (4) conduct a site visit on hot spot areas by high level delegates from Belize to get a first hand view of the environmental impacts in the Chiquibul forest; and (5) make an official comprehensive report to the Guatemalan authorities.

FCD also calls on the Government to implement a High Level Belize Border Commission that can take further action on matters relating to cross border issues.