Social Economic Unrest in FGBelow for those interested is a short article by the BBC News on the continuing social problems in French Guyana; a French territory that has a pop., of about 250,000 of whom approx. 40% are less than 20 years of age with an unemployment rate of approx.., 22%. From the article it could be hypothesized that the NG/CBGDF project is vital to FG and the French government in terms of job creation, tax generation and revenue poured into the small economy. Similarly, Newmont has already received praise from the Suriname government for its positive economics generated by the NM Meriam mine next door to FG. I would suggest that the French government does not want the FG mine delayed in any form. Further, gold seems to be a potential life line to FG (which is also struggling with small scale illegal mining). Therefore, potentially, whoever initiates this major mine in FG may be expected not only to mine the BFS pit and large scale surrounding area, but also to further develop the much larger Paul Isnard concession in total, thereby, generating more than just the initial mine; no doubt getting a lot of support and encouragement from the French on the way. Again, this NG/CBGDF project is both a social and economic life line to FG and becomes a more and more enticing project for mining companies who want predominantly first mover status in this minimally gold explored French territory.
French Guiana: The part of South America facing a total shutdown BBC News - April 10
th 2017
Discontent over living standards in French Guiana has led to a large-scale blockade on Monday. The territory has regained control of its space station (more on that later) but anger there is not going away. Despite being in South America, French Guiana remains part of France and has been paralyzed by protests against a lack of investment from the mainland. Demonstrators, led by a masked group known as the 500 Brothers, have been fighting for $2.5bn (£2bn) in aid. France has made an offer of £1m, which has been rejected. French Guiana has been experiencing widespread protests for the past two weeks, following a general strike on 27 March and an occupation of the Guiana Space Station, which delayed a rocket launch. The 500 Brothers, a collective of black-clad, masked people who say they are campaigning against crime and delinquency, called for a total shutdown on Monday, including road blocks after a police officer was injured in protests last week.
Where is French Guiana? French Guiana sits in the north-east corner of South America, north of Brazil, and alongside Guyana and Suriname. While Guyana and Suriname gained independence from their colonisers (the UK and the Netherlands respectively), French Guiana never has. It is classed as an overseas territory; its currency is the euro and its official language is French, although many also speak Creole. It is bigger than Belgium, but has a population of about 250,000 people (compared with Belgium's 11 million). Its tough environment - including scorching heat and sharks - was made famous in the 1969 book Papillon, which later became a film staring Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen.
What are people upset about? Protesters have a catalogue of issues they want France to urgently address, from education and health needs, to rising violent crime. Household goods
are 12% more expensive in French Guiana than in mainland France, despite
a lower average wage. "The State does not respect its commitments, the State does not respect French Guiana," Olivier Goudet, a spokesman for the 500 Brothers told France's RFI network on Sunday. "We need to mobilize in order to raise awareness and remind the State of its responsibilities." The issue has even been raised during the French presidential election campaign - although leading candidate Emmanuel Macron wrongly referred to the territory as an island when discussing the crisis.
How are rockets involved? French Guiana is largely covered in Amazon rainforest, with its development centred on a handful of towns hugging the coastline. One of these towns - Kourou - is home to the Guiana Space Station, which is used by the European Space Agency and the French government to launch satellites into space. Protesters say money is poured into the station, while the people's welfare is neglected. They are calling for action under the slogan Pou Lagwiyann Dekole, which is Creole for "Let Guiana take off". Last month, the 500 Brothers group took over the space station and
delayed a satellite launch. They relinquished their occupation last week, but continue to protest.