AGP Executive Report

Mining & Investment: Gold Fields is set to raise its stake in Suriname-focused explorer Founders Metals to just under 20%, investing about US$55.7m, to help fund Founders’ plan to buy the remaining 30% of Lawa Gold N.V. and secure full ownership of the Antino gold project in southeastern Suriname. Gold Sector Compliance: Surinamese police seized more than two tonnes of suspected cyanide at checkpoints in Coronie, believed to have been illegally brought in from Guyana and destined for Paramaribo, with investigations now focused on permits, origin, and final destination. Oil Boom Readiness: A new analysis argues Suriname has a narrow window to prepare for an offshore oil surge, saying fintech could help modernise payments and financial access before more capital flows into the economy. Regional Trade Disruption: The Guyana–Suriname ferry suspension continues to disrupt travellers and operators, while authorities discuss operational and licensing issues. Cross-Border Diplomacy: Suriname’s new ambassador to Guyana, Ivan Fernald, was sworn in with a call to strengthen ties and focus on border matters amid ongoing ferry and bridge-related disputes. Infrastructure & Ports: Jamaica’s Port Authority opened tenders for engineering design studies for a mixed-use port in St Thomas and a marina in Hanover—an example of regional port planning that could shape future logistics demand for the Guianas.

Cyanide Crackdown: Surinamese police seized more than two tonnes of cyanide at a Coronie checkpoint, believed to have been illegally brought in from Guyana in two trucks, with arrests and permit-origin checks now underway—an issue tied directly to gold-mining risks and tighter import rules. Cross-Border Transport Tension: The Guyana–Suriname ferry disruption continues to hit travellers and operators as the MV Canawaima stays suspended while authorities debate operational requirements and a temporary replacement, with licensing and safety concerns raised over the back-track route. Oil-Boom Readiness via Finance: A new look at Suriname’s fintech landscape argues the country has a narrow window to modernise payments and access to financial services ahead of the offshore oil ramp-up, aiming to reduce cash dependence and improve how money moves. Gold Deal Momentum: Centurion Minerals signed a Letter of Intent to acquire an 80% interest in Mega Bond’s Brothers Gold Project in eastern Suriname, adding to the steady stream of exploration-and-acquisition activity around the Guiana Shield. Regional Finance Context: IDB reporting highlights how Guyana is improving debt management and reducing the share of government income going to debt payments, while noting Suriname and other neighbours carry higher burdens.

Gold & Mining Compliance: Suriname police intercepted more than two tonnes of suspected cyanide at the Burnside checkpoint in Coronie, believed smuggled from Guyana in two trucks, with arrests and permit checks now underway—an issue tied directly to gold processing and environmental risk. Cross-border Transport Disruption: The MV Canawaima ferry suspension continues to disrupt travel and trade between Guyana and Suriname, with authorities and operators clashing over licensing and safety on the back-track route. Diplomacy & Border Management: Suriname’s newly sworn ambassador to Guyana, Ivan Fernald, was urged to strengthen ties and focus on border matters as the ferry dispute and the long-running New River triangle border issue remain unresolved. Mining Deal Watch: Gold Fields boosted its stake in Suriname-focused explorer Founders Metals to just under 20%, funding the push to acquire full control of the Antino gold project—supporting further regional exploration. Regional Energy Signals: Trinidad and Tobago’s ExxonMobil seismic results for Block TTUD-1 are expected by end of August, a reminder of how fast offshore exploration timelines can move across the Guianas and wider Caribbean. Finance & Policy Context: IDB reporting highlights Guyana’s improving debt servicing and falling unemployment, while also noting Suriname and other neighbours carry higher debt burdens than in 2019.

Gold Mining & Trade Controls: Suriname police intercepted more than two tonnes of suspected cyanide at the Burnside checkpoint in Coronie, believed to have been illegally brought in from Guyana; the shipment was carried in two trucks, several people were arrested, and investigators are checking the exact type, origin, destination, and whether import/transport permits were in place. Diplomacy & Cross-Border Logistics: Former Suriname Defence Minister Ivan Fernald was sworn in as the new ambassador to Guyana, with President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons urging tighter ties and attention to border issues as the MV Canawaima ferry suspension continues to disrupt travel and trade while repairs and a substitute vessel are discussed. Mining Investment Signals: Gold Fields is set to lift its stake in Suriname-focused explorer Founders Metals to just under 20% to fund the cash portion of acquiring the remaining 30% of Lawa Gold’s Antino project, a move that could accelerate exploration in southeastern Suriname. Regional Economic Context: ECLAC data shows Guyana driving Caribbean growth while Suriname’s projected expansion is far more modest, underscoring how regional demand and investment flows may keep diverging across the Guianas.

Diplomatic & Border Watch: Suriname’s newly sworn ambassador to Guyana, former Defence Minister Ivan Fernald, is tasked with strengthening ties and keeping a close eye on border issues as the MV Canawaima ferry suspension and the long-running Corentyne/New River triangle dispute continue to strain coordination. Gold Mining Supply Chain Risk: Surinamese police seized more than two tonnes of suspected cyanide at the Burnside checkpoint in Coronie, believed smuggled from Guyana and destined for Paramaribo; investigations will check origin, permits, and the exact product type—an urgent reminder that cyanide is widely used in gold mining but is highly dangerous if mishandled. Regional Energy & Investment Signals: Grenada used IMAGE 2026 in Houston to pitch its underexplored offshore hydrocarbons and tee up a 2027 licensing round, while broader Caribbean energy momentum remains in focus as investors look for new upstream opportunities. Gold Market Backdrop: A new report highlights China’s sustained gold buying streak, reinforcing how major demand can support prices—important context for Suriname’s gold sector and financing appetite. Mining Dealmaking: Centurion Minerals signed an LOI to acquire an 80% stake in Mega Bond’s Brothers Gold Project in eastern Suriname, adding another exploration push to the Guiana Shield pipeline.

Offshore Energy & Investment Pipeline: Grenada wrapped its IMAGE 2026 Houston roadshow, pitching underexplored offshore hydrocarbons and teeing up a 2027 licensing round for six offshore blocks plus open acreage. Cyanide Smuggling Crackdown (Gold Supply Chain Risk): Surinamese police seized over two tonnes of suspected cyanide at Coronie’s Burnside checkpoint, allegedly smuggled from Guyana in two trucks and reportedly destined for Paramaribo; investigations will check origin, type, and whether import/transport permits were in place. Cross-Border Transport Disruption: The Guyana–Suriname ferry suspension tied to the M.V. Canawaima is disrupting travel and trade flows, with authorities and operators disputing licensing and safety on the back-track/fast-track small-boat route. Regional Finance & Growth Outlook: The IDB says Suriname’s medium-term outlook remains favourable despite near-term downside risks, with recovery expected on oil-driven growth and improved fiscal/external conditions. Gold Mining M&A (Suriname): Centurion Minerals signed an LOI to acquire an 80% stake in Mega Bond’s Brothers Gold Project in eastern Suriname, adding a large exploration database and multiple gold-bearing structural corridors.

Cross-border Transport Disruption: The M.V. Canawaima ferry suspension is still biting travellers and operators, with Guyana allowing small-boat “back-track/fast-track” travel but Surinamese authorities reportedly stopping unlicensed boats—raising safety concerns as overloaded crossings grow. Maritime Energy Signals: ExxonMobil’s return to Trinidad and Tobago is gaining momentum, with seismic results for Block TTUD-1 expected by end of August, after a 3D survey campaign—an investor confidence signal for the wider region’s offshore push. Cyanide Smuggling Crackdown: Suriname police intercepted more than two tonnes of suspected cyanide at Burnside checkpoint in Coronie, allegedly brought in from Guyana and headed toward Paramaribo; arrests were made and investigators are checking the exact product, origin, permits, and destination. Gold Sector Dealmaking: Centurion Minerals signed an LOI to acquire an 80% interest in Mega Bond’s Brothers Gold Project in eastern Suriname, near major Newmont assets—adding to the flurry of exploration and M&A activity. Antino/Founders Metals Update: Gold Fields is set to lift its stake in Suriname-focused Founders Metals to just under 20%, backing the move to secure full ownership of the Antino gold project. Suriname Outlook from IDB: The IDB says Suriname’s medium-term outlook remains favourable, with growth expected to recover on oil-driven investment and improving fiscal/external conditions, even as gold production contraction weighed on 2025.

Cyanide Crackdown: Suriname police intercepted a shipment of more than two tonnes of suspected cyanide at the Burnside checkpoint in Coronie, believed to have been illegally brought in from Guyana and headed for Paramaribo; several people were arrested and authorities are still confirming the exact product type, origin, destination, and whether import/transport permits were in place—an urgent reminder of the risks cyanide poses to people and the environment, especially for gold mining. Border Transport Disruption: The suspension of the M.V. Canawaima ferry is still disrupting travel and trade between Guyana and Suriname; while officials say they’re coordinating on a restart and temporary small-boat routes are permitted, reports say Surinamese authorities have stopped some boats from operating due to licensing gaps, raising safety concerns as passenger loads grow. Regional Energy Signals: ExxonMobil’s return to Trinidad and Tobago is gaining momentum, with seismic results for Block TTUD-1 expected by end of August after a 3D survey across about 6,000 sq km in ultra-deep water—another sign of renewed offshore exploration activity across the wider Guiana-Caribbean energy corridor. Gold Deal Momentum: Centurion Minerals signed an LOI to acquire an 80% interest in the Brothers Gold Project in eastern Suriname, adding to the steady flow of exploration-and-development moves in the country’s gold belt.

Cross-Border Shipping: Guyana says it’s in daily contact with Suriname to resolve concerns after the suspension of the ferry service between the two countries, with a full review ordered into the ferry’s past five years of monetary and administrative transactions. Mining & Safety: Suriname police intercepted more than two tons of cyanide at the Burnside checkpoint in Coronie, believed to have been illegally brought in from Guyana, with investigations now focused on permits, origin, and destination. Gold Investment & Expansion: Gold Fields is investing about US$55.7m to lift its stake in Suriname explorer Founders Metals to just under 20%, backing Founders’ move to consolidate full ownership of the Antino gold project (including mineral rights and infrastructure). Exploration Push: Greenheart Gold has started a 2,000m diamond drilling program at its Tosso Creek project in Suriname, beginning at the Walaba target and moving to Swalanga next. Energy Services Deal: A Trinidad-based company signed an agreement to expand services in Suriname, adding to the momentum around regional energy investment. Regional Outlook: The IDB says Suriname’s medium-term outlook remains favourable, with growth expected to recover as oil investment ramps up, despite a gold-production slowdown in 2025.

Mining & Safety: Suriname police intercepted a shipment of more than two tons of cyanide at the Burnside checkpoint in Coronie, believed to have been illegally brought in from Guyana; investigations will check origin, destination, and whether permits were in place, with the chemical widely used in gold mining but highly dangerous to people and the environment. Gold Dealmaking: Gold Fields is investing about US$55.7m to lift its stake in Suriname explorer Founders Metals to just under 20%, backing Founders’ move to consolidate 100% ownership of the Antino gold project (Lawa Gold) and fund further exploration. Exploration Push: Centurion Minerals executed a Letter of Intent to acquire an 80% interest in the Brothers Gold Project in eastern Suriname, near major historic deposits, supported by a large exploration database and multiple gold-bearing structural corridors. Energy & Investment: A Trinidad-based company signed an agreement to expand services in Suriname, while separate coverage highlights growing regional interest in upstream and refined-product capacity. Economic Outlook: The IDB says Suriname’s medium-term outlook remains favourable, with recovery expected as oil-driven growth and improved fiscal and external conditions offset recent shocks. Industry Context: World Bank research reignited debate over industrial policy, weighing market size, institutional capacity, and fiscal space. Local Governance: Suriname’s Assembly Speaker Ashwin Adhin plans private-member legislation to make suicide prevention legally mandatory, citing rising police-registered cases.

Energy Deal: Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. says its partner Navitas plans a multi-target exploration well on PL001 in the Falkland Islands, with drilling expected to start in early 2027, while also updating on South Africa Block 1 CBK. Mining & Investment: Centurion Minerals executed a Letter of Intent to acquire an 80% stake in Mega Bond’s Brothers Gold Project in eastern Suriname, near Newmont’s Merian area, backed by a large historical exploration database. Gold Consolidation in Suriname: Gold Fields is investing about US$55.7m to lift its stake in Founders Metals to just under 20%, helping Founders buy out Nana Resources and consolidate 100% of the Antino gold project (royalty-free) in southeastern Suriname. Exploration Push: Greenheart Gold has started a 2,000m diamond drilling program at its Tosso Creek Project in Suriname, beginning at the Walaba target and moving to Swalanga next. Local Policy for Industry: Suriname’s National Assembly Speaker Ashwin Adhin plans private member’s legislation to make suicide prevention legally mandatory, aiming for measurable targets and annual accountability. Regional Outlook: The IDB says Suriname’s medium-term outlook remains favourable, with growth expected to recover to around 3.9% in 2026, driven by oil investment and improving fiscal and external conditions.

Gold Deal in Suriname: Centurion Minerals executed a Letter of Intent to acquire an 80% interest in Mega Bond’s 9,600-hectare Brothers Gold Project in eastern Suriname, near the former Newmont Esperance deposit and the Merian Mine, adding to a growing pipeline of Guiana Shield exploration. Antino Consolidation: Gold Fields is investing about US$55.7m to lift its stake in Founders Metals to ~19.9%, supporting Founders’ move to buy out the remaining 30% of Lawa Gold and secure 100% (royalty-free) control of the Antino gold project and its infrastructure. Exploration Push: Greenheart Gold has started a 2,000m diamond drill program at its Tosso Creek Project in Suriname, beginning at the Walaba target, to test structural controls and mineral continuity. Industrial Policy Debate: The World Bank says industrial policy is back on the agenda, but should be tailored to market size, institutional capacity and fiscal space—fueling renewed debate on how countries like Brazil design incentives without distortions. Suriname Outlook: The IDB flags near-term downside risks for Suriname amid geopolitics, but expects recovery toward ~3.9% growth in 2026, driven by oil investment and improving fiscal/external conditions. Energy & Refining Interest: In the region, renewed interest in restarting Pointe-a-Pierre refinery operations is tied to rising demand for refined products and shifting global refining capacity.

Mining Investment: Gold Fields is boosting its Suriname exposure by investing about US$55.7M to lift Founders Metals’ stake in the Antino gold project to ~19.9%, paving the way for Founders to consolidate 100% ownership of Lawa Gold N.V. (royalty-free) and push exploration in southeastern Suriname. Exploration Drilling: Greenheart Gold has started a 2,000m diamond drill program at the Tosso Creek Project, targeting the Walaba area first, with Swalanga to follow, as it builds out multiple gold targets. Economic Outlook: The IDB says Suriname’s medium-term outlook stays favourable, with growth expected to recover to about 3.9% in 2026 and around 4% soon after, supported by oil-driven investment and improving fiscal/external conditions. Water Resources Snapshot: A new cross-country comparison puts Suriname among the higher freshwater-supply nations per person, even as water use patterns differ—useful context for industry planning and resilience. Energy & Industry Signals: A market report projects the air starter market to reach US$726.5M by 2035, driven by hazardous-environment demand across oil, gas, mining and marine operations.

Water & Utilities: A new global ranking puts Suriname among the most water-abundant countries, with about 5.6 million cubic feet of renewable freshwater per person—though the “supply vs. withdrawals” gap shows abundance doesn’t automatically mean heavy use is managed well. Gold Mining & Investment: Gold Fields is boosting its Suriname exposure, investing about US$55.7m to lift its stake in Founders Metals to ~19.9%, supporting Founders’ move to consolidate 100% ownership of the Antino gold project (Lawa Gold) in southeastern Suriname. Exploration Push: Greenheart Gold has started a 2,000m diamond drilling program at its Tosso Creek project in Suriname, beginning at the Walaba target and following up at Swalanga. Regional Economic Outlook: The IDB says Suriname’s medium-term outlook remains favourable, with growth expected to recover toward ~3.9% in 2026, supported by oil-driven activity and improving fiscal/external conditions. Energy & Refining Interest: In Trinidad and Tobago, the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery is drawing renewed investor interest as demand for refined products rises, with government engagement underway.

Mining & Investment: Gold Fields is pumping about US$55.7m (C$77m) into Suriname explorer Founders Metals, lifting its stake to ~19.9% and helping Founders buy out Nana Resources to consolidate 100% ownership of the Antino gold project (Lawa Gold N.V.) in southeastern Suriname—royalty-free and backed by a 70,000-metre drill push. Exploration Update: Greenheart Gold has started a 2,000m diamond drilling program at its Tosso Creek Project in Suriname, beginning at the Walaba target with Swalanga next, aimed at testing structural controls and depth continuity. Energy & Industry Outlook: The IDB says Suriname’s medium-term outlook stays favourable despite near-term downside risks, with growth expected to recover to ~3.9% in 2026 and ~4% near term, supported by oil-driven investment and improving fiscal/external conditions. Regional Energy Watch: Caribbean Energy Week 2027 is set for July 13–15 in Guyana, spotlighting oil, gas, LNG and investment as the region accelerates infrastructure and integration. Business & Logistics: Gonini (formerly Bezos.ai) rebranded in a move rooted in cross-border fulfilment, with warehousing and delivery capabilities across 16 countries—relevant for Suriname-based exporters and regional trade. Sustainability & Emissions: Digicel reported higher energy use and emissions across its network, citing customer data demand and hurricane recovery operations—another reminder of how telecom growth and disaster response hit industrial footprints.

Mining & Investment: Gold Fields is boosting its Suriname exposure, investing about US$55.7m to lift its stake in Founders Metals to just under 20% and help Founders consolidate 100% ownership of the Antino gold project, a move that puts the 1,024-sq.-km district fully under one operator ahead of a major drill push. Exploration Update: Greenheart Gold has started a 2,000m diamond drilling program at its Tosso Creek project in Suriname, beginning at the Walaba target and moving to Swalanga next, aimed at testing structural controls and mineral continuity at depth. Energy & Refining: In Trinidad and Tobago, the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery is drawing fresh investor interest as demand for refined products rises; the government says a restart of some operations is “realistic” and is engaging multiple parties, including regional contacts. Regional Outlook for Suriname: The IDB says Suriname’s near-term risks are downside-leaning, but the medium-term outlook stays favourable, with growth expected to recover to about 3.9% in 2026, supported by oil-driven activity and improving fiscal and external conditions. Policy & Cost of Living: A Suriname-linked budget debate in the region spotlights pressure on household expenses and calls for stronger accountability and price controls, including potential expansion of tax exemptions for essential goods.