IN light of an alarming decline in gold production this year, members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA)  have identified reduced fuel prices, better hinterland roads and support for improved recovery of gold as critical  for optimising the industry’s potential for national economic development.

Figures at late June indicated that  the industry had produced 164,419 ounces of gold as compared to 198,000 ounces during the same period last year,  or 17% less.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday President of the GGDMA  Patrick Harding said that the three  areas of support were critical.

“What  miners need is to be able to reduce their operating costs.  Reduction of the price of fuel  which is a major cost centre for production is as we see it a number one priority.”

He said that the miners were looking for an implementation of the 10% reduction on the import duty for fuel promised by the former PPP Administration.

With respect to the roads, he said that the bad condition of roads leading to mining areas from the coastland was also another major problem that must be addressed.
The poor state of the roads can dramatically increase the travelling time with associated additional costs.
Bad roads also create more expenses for miners as a result of the wear and tear on the vehicles used to transport equipment, supplies and fuel.
IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES
Support for improved recovery of gold is also critical.
He said that technologies for improving recovery of gold at  the level of the sluice box and through processing of raw materials would help the miners to produce more gold from one operation.

“The overall result of support in these three areas is that  much more  gold  will be produced and declared and much more foreign exchange earned for the benefit of the economy,” he said.
The former Administration had set aside the sum of $1B to be used to help miners improve recovery of gold from the gangue (raw materials) but this sum is yet to be accessed, Harding said, due to lack of agreement on how it will actually be utilised.
Miners had other issues but the  three identified were the most critical.
He disclosed that these  three had been among others  recently discussed with Minister in charge of Natural Resources, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman.
He said that the Minister had promised to meet with miners again, within a week or so from now, and the GGDMA was looking forward to prompt action by the Government which will enable gold, despite the current low prices,  to regain its former position as the top foreign exchange earner for the economy.

By Clifford Stanley