— Bartica mining protest goes ahead
SHARP differences have emerged between some mining and forestry operators over damage to forests from gold and other mining as miners opposed to reform mounted street protests in Bartica. Some 2,000 people marched around the small mining town on Monday in what observers said was an obviously well-financed protest campaign. Ignoring government assurances that proposed reforms intended to help sustained forest management will not throw small or medium scale miners out of business, the protest organisers kicked off the first leg of a campaign which well-placed industry sources estimate several big miners are bank-rolling with about $30M.

Two Opposition Members of Parliament and others aligned to the Opposition were among principal figures addressing the gathering and openly involved in the activities, continuing to peddle false information that the government was intent on shutting down small miners.

Some shops and stores were closed and the regular passenger boat service between Parika and Bartica was disrupted by the campaign which organisers said will continue in other forms.

No incidents were reported but sources said it was evident that opponents of the government were seeking to score political points and that big players were using small miners for their own purposes.

Official sources said several major forestry operators have written the government and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) complaining about the adverse impact of mining on forests in their concessions.

Among those writing to the GFC are Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) and Toolsie Persaud Limited (TPL), two of the biggest forestry operators, and Interior Forest Industries Ltd.

DTL in November last year said mining is having a “very negative effect” on its operations and the very fragile environment within its concession.

The company said mining operations have had such a devastating effect on the environment that flora as well as fauna have clearly been adversely affected in some areas.

TPL last month informed the GFC that mining by a company in its area of operations conflicts with the commission’s requirement for sustainable forest management.

TPL said some areas damaged by mining can no longer be used for sustainable forestry activities and Interior Forest Industries Ltd. has also filed several similar complaints against mining in its areas of operations.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, in an interview Monday night on the National Communications Network (NCN), said the proposed six-month notice from miners before commencing operations is intended for the GFC to ensure that clearing particular areas of the forest is included in the forestry plans.

Mr. Hinds said that under rules governing the forestry sector, timber operators are allowed to fell a certain number of trees over a specified period with the pre-approval of the GFC.

On the other hand, he noted, miners work by a different regime and cut down trees for mining purposes.

“The intention is that, in giving notice, a timber operator would be adjusted and modified to take account of the cutting. So the six-month issue is not for the GFC to say no…it’s for the GFC and the timber operators to amend their harvesting plans to include this intention,” Mr. Hinds said.

He agreed that there were delays in addressing regimes in the mining sector as opposed to forestry, and noted that some feel that those in the mining sector are “getting away with murder.”

Nevertheless, he said that given the chance, some of these issues can be straightened out by both parties in the same cordial way that many others have been settled in the past, adding that constructive dialogue is needed.

“We have tried, (at the level of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission), to hold a very controlled, well-balanced hand in these matters. The small miners may be under pressure…you have to maintain discipline and at the same time you understand their situation,” the Prime Minister said.

He reiterated the government’s position that mining is here to stay but noted that small and medium-scale miners are being challenged to operate at a higher level.

In December, President Bharrat Jagdeo met a group of 20 leading gold and diamond miners focusing on ways of improving mining practices. Proposals were made for better coordination with the GFC on tree felling, prospecting before mining and restoration of the surface rights areas.

It was agreed that a joint committee Chaired by Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn would be established and would include members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) and miners outside of the association.

The committee has been meeting and examining ways in which the new rules could be put into effect while at the same time sustaining the industry.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, last week declared that the government was “unashamedly proud” of what it has done since it assumed office in October 1992 to elevate the sector as a major plank in the economy and
said it is too big an industry to be threatened or challenged.

He bluntly stated at his regular post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President complex that the small miners are being used and that they are being confused about the government’s plans.

Small miners “are literally being used as shock troopers by hidden interests to defend their particular interests and beliefs”, he said, adding that the government was committed to the growth and development of the mining sector.

“…what we intend to introduce is not a threat to the sector and we will continue to be open to discussions and consultations to that effect”, he assured.

“We will continue to negotiate…consult…exert the efforts needed to correct impressions that are being created falsely among (small miners)”, he said.

Government sources said the larger operators in the industry are apparently buoyed by the current high prices of gold on the world market and feel that compliance with international best practice may cut into their huge earnings.

They said further reforms may be needed to hike royalty, licensing and other fees for bigger miners.

Luncheon argued that because of the distortions being peddled, small operators in the sector lose sight of the big picture.