Minister Persaud lauds women for their sterling contributions to mining
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr Robert Persaud, speaks at the GWMO event at the Pegasus Hotel
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr Robert Persaud, speaks at the GWMO event at the Pegasus Hotel

— as GWMO celebrates second anniversary
MINISTER of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr Robert Persaud, has commended those women involved in mining here, particularly those who have made significant contributions to its success over the years.

Speaking at a reception on Friday at the Pegasus Hotel to mark the second anniversary of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO), Minister Persaud also applauded the organisation for reaching another milestone, and for the tremendous work it has been doing in ensuring that women miners’ voices are heard.

A section of the audience at the GWMO anniversary celebration
A section of the audience at the GWMO anniversary celebration

Among those present at the event were British High Commissioner, Mr. Andrew Ayre; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Ms. Khadijah Musa; and US Ambassador, Mr. Brent Hardt.
The GWMO, which was established in 2011, has been extending its services to the mining industry, in order to ensure that women’s voices are heard, and that their contributions are more visible to society.
Noting the importance of highlighting the issues of dignity and pride, Minister Persaud said: “What the Women Miners Association would have been able to do is remove that stigma and to bring out the commitment of hard work and to show the characteristics of Guyanese women because Guyanese women are unique.

Members of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation
Members of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation

“The work of this organisation,” he said, “has certainly lifted the pride and public perception and understanding of what women can do in the mining sector, and has also aided the Government and other agencies that are partners in the international community in highlighting the issue of Trafficking in Persons (TIP).”
TIP, the minister said, is an issue that Government has confronted and dealt with openly, bringing the law-enforcement agencies on board to address, bring under control and prosecute whenever it occurs. The minister assured the organisation that Government will continue to provide the necessary assistance in order to deal with the issue.
The mining sector is expanding, and last year the highest gold declaration was recorded. However, there were some challenges in relation to the fluctuation of prices and illegal mining, among others.
Minister Persaud encouraged the organisation to join the ministry in confronting those challenges. “This year you will see an intensification of those activities, dealing with illegal shops, illegal mining and other practices that are against the law or do not contribute positively to the social development of our community,” he added.
He challenged the organisation to get involved in responsible, clean, and environmentally friendly mining. “If you are able to make that impact, it would significantly help our efforts in terms of ensuring that we are not only satisfied with the goal, and fulfilling the objective of the Low Carbon Development Strategy, but also able to have a better level of clean and responsible mining,” Minister Persaud reiterated.
GWMO President, Ms Simona Broomes, spoke of some of the challenges the organisation has been encountering as its members strive to assist in dealing with the issue of TIP, as she outlined some of the work the organisation is involved in.
Health and security, she said, are major challenges for some of the mining areas, and called on the relevant agencies to seek interventions so as to ensure a safer mining sector.

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