– Prime Minister congratulates small, medium scale miners
Small and medium scale gold miners continue to make invaluable contributions to the sector helping it to live up to its reputation as a major contributor to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

A record breaking 300,000 ounces of gold have been declared for 2009, thanks to the efforts of small and medium scale gold miners who dedicate their lives to the search for this precious mineral.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who is the Minister with responsibility for Mines and Minerals, recently congratulated all who contributed to the achievements of the sector for 2009, including institutions such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Guyana Gold Board (GDB).

“Gold prices have been good, and the sector has done exceedingly well for itself during these last years in providing much needed improvements in economies at the family level, and a large portion of our exports and foreign exchange income at the national level,” Prime Minister Hinds said.

Commending the stakeholders, Mr. Hinds highlighted the challenges which come with success, challenges which before could have been ignored, but have to be contained and reduced and mitigated.

With the global challenges which the climate change phenomenon pose, Mr. Hinds said the world’s interest in sustaining remaining forests has heightened awareness of the negative environmental and social impact of small and medium scale mining.

“Miners have been sensitised to these issues and areas for improvement have been identified. Now, improved lower-impact, more efficient, higher recovery methods are being demonstrated and sought, as well as restorative practices,” the Prime Minister said.

As small and medium scale miners continue to be successful, Mr. Hinds is also looking forward to rapid adjustments, such as avoiding illegal exports to both neighboring and distant countries. (GINA)