–charged to implement commitments made to small miners

MINISTER of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has on Monday inducted the members of the Closed Areas Committee, and has charged them to ensure that lands awarded to small and medium-scale miners by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission are higher-yielding lands.

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency said Minister Trotman told the Committee to treat as priority the commitment the Government made at the Small Miners Conference held on January 15, 2016 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) — to have lands identified for allocation to small miners, and to address the backlog of pending applications. He also made it clear that all processes must be just, equitable, and transparent.

The Committee will be chaired by Attorney-at-Law Ms Dela Britton, who also serves on the Public Utilities Commission; and will include Ms Abiola Henry; Ms Euliene Watson, Technical Officer, Mining, Ministry of Natural Resources; Mr Clayton Hall, Ministerial Advisor, Ministry of Natural Resources; Mr Aseef Balmacoon, and a representative from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.

It was noted that the Minister of Natural Resources appoints the Committee and sets its mandate to effectively treat the complex and specialised matters concerning Closed Area/State Reserve management and allocation.

By regulations, the Committee is mandated to carry out specified functions assigned by the Minister, and to advise and guide the Minister accordingly.