It forms the Western border of the Tigri Area or New River Triangle, a disputed territory that is claimed by both Guyana and Suriname.

It was the location of a skirmish between Guyana Police Force and a Surinamese labor camp, 15 December 1967.

[3] Military conflict broke out in August 1969 when members of the Guyana Defence Force launched an operation to clear Suriname military personnel from the area.

Due to the intervention by the GDF, the Suriname military withdrew without any casualties and all detainees were released.

In 1993, the Guyana Defense Force identified alluvial mining by Brazilian nationals.