Puruni River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puruni River |
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| Country | Guyana |
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| River mouth | 6°00′N 59°12′W / 6.000°N 59.200°W |
The Puruni River is a river found in Guyana, a country in South America. It flows through the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region. In Spanish, this river is sometimes called Rio Carmen.
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Gold Mining and the River
The Puruni River is a place where people look for gold. In 2017, the government's Ministry of Natural Resources had to stop five gold-mining machines, called dredges, from working on the river. These dredges dig up the riverbed to find gold.
How Gold Mining Affects the River
Gold mining is common in many rivers in Guyana. However, the dredging process can cause problems for the environment. It can harm the plants and animals that live in and around the river. The digging can make the water very muddy. It also leaves behind piles of dirt and waste.
One group, the Guyana Human Rights Association, said that parts of the Puruni River were a "ruinous mess." They meant that the river was badly damaged for many miles. It was even hard for boats to travel on some parts. This damage makes it difficult for fish and other river creatures to survive.
Challenges in the Puruni Area
The area around the Puruni River is far away from cities. This makes it hard for officials to watch over everything that happens there. Sometimes, people mine for gold without permission. This can create challenges around the mining camps.
Other Activities Near the River
Besides gold mining, people also cut down trees in the forests around the Puruni River. This activity is known as logging.
See Also
