– Sector contributes significantly to economy
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, who is also chairman of the Land Use Committee established by President Bharrat Jagdeo, has rebuked the ambitions of those who wish to undermine the committee’s and Government’s efforts.

The committee was set up to create conditions necessary for a harmonized sustainable utilisation of resources in the mining and forestry sectors.

Minister Benn noted that efforts were recently made in Linden and Bartica to misinform miners, especially small scale miners, and instill unjustified fears and anxieties with respect to the committee and its functions.

“I wish to join in the widespread condemnation of these negative efforts, and I urge that the stakeholders in the sectors await the imminent provision of the protocols which would indeed, I am sure, belie the mischievous representations that are now abroad in some quarters,” Minister Benn said.

He emphasised that the committee is well represented with officials from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and the Guyana Forestry Commission, and is working according to the laws, and as such there will be no veto in favour of the forestry sector as against the mining sector.

In addition, Government will never prevent the growth of the mining sector since it contributes significantly to the economy with a record high of 305,000 ounces in 2009 and over US$340,000 in today’s gold price term. It was emphasised that such performances and pricing in that sector will only see support from Government to increase production rather than create an environment to hinder the sector, Minister Benn emphasised.

He added that the Low Carbon Development Strategy does not undermine mining, but rather promotes mining in a sustainable manner, as it does for the forestry sector.

He noted that the committee has been able to establish a possible solution that will not impair but enhance the transparency and opportunities for both sectors’ stakeholders, given the challenges of multiple use situations in the forest.

“That solution is at hand and is being fleshed-out with supporting documents to allow for adoption by His Excellency and Cabinet after wide stakeholder review, inclusive of a general meeting with all miners with His Excellency on February 11, 2010,” Minister Benn stated. (GINA)