–President declares during tour of mining operation
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday applauded the Canadian firm, Guyana Goldfields Inc., for seeing Guyana as a country worthwhile investing in.
Noting the firm’s importance to the country’s economy, in light of the administration’s continuous fight against poverty, President Ramotar said:
“This also reflects the times we are living in; the globalisation that is taking place; the fact that we have not only Guyanese, but people from Australia, Peru, Canada and the United Sates. We have an international family, which, in many ways, reminds us we are one humanity, with one objective: Trying to have a better world.”
He made the observation during a tour of the Company’s Aurora Cuyuni operations with Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Ms Nicole Giles and several key Cabinet members, among them Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr. Robert Persaud; Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh; and Works Minister, Mr. Robeson Benn; and Chairman of the Guyana and Geology and Mines Commission, Mr. Clinton Williams.
They were all made welcome by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Scot Caldwell and several of his managers, who took them on a guided tour of the many mine sites, which are all in the construction phase.
Buoyed by what he’d seen and heard, President Ramotar said: “Investment in our society is important for the creation of wealth and jobs. Some of you who follow our policies… would see we invest a lot in our social sector.”
Noting further that investing in the social sector is a deliberate strategy employed by the Administration, given the many adverse conditions under which residents live, the President said:
“We think this is one of the best ways by which we can redistribute wealth,.. and therefore we want to invest in such and the wealth that is created from it so that our people can benefit from it.”
Noting that a significant part of the country’s Budget is channelled into the social sector, with the hog going towards education, the President said:
“It has been said, and I believe it has been proven, that the best way to enhance and improve your country is by investing in your people; and this is what we are doing, by investing in education, social services, health and housing where people are owning their own homes.”
He seized the opportunity to pledge the Administration’s continued support in whatever tangible way needed to help build the company as it seeks to benefit Guyanese.
“We will continue to try our best to offer support, so that we can have full cooperation,” he said, adding, “We welcome this investment; we think it’s a good story to tell, and I hope it can make a major contribution itself, but it benefits all of Guyana.”
CEO, Mr. Caldwell, thanked the team for showing an interest in what the Company proposes doing while here, and gave every assurance that work is progressing smoothly and on target.
Actual mining, he said, is expected to commence by July of 2015, with an expected commercial production of 14,000 to 15,000 ounces per month.
The official launch is expected to be held in June of 2015, as the company seeks to maximise this operation to the benefit of not only themselves, but the Guyanese people and economy as well.
The CEO also assured the team that the company continues to place safety high on its agenda as they operate under the strictest safety regulations.
It was also noted that the operation will be carried out using world class technology, as well as mercury free methods.
Guyana Goldfields Inc., is a Canadian based mineral exploration company, primarily focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in Guyana, South America, where the company has been in operation since 1996.
The company is currently undertaking drilling and studies to advance and develop the Aurora Gold Project in Guyana with a current measured and indicated resource of 5.71 million ounces gold (47.04 million tonnes at a grade of 3.83 g/t).
(GINA)
