Miners are in an uproar against the newly proposed regulations that came out of the land use committee established by President Bharrat Jagdeo, particularly the one that calls on them to give six months notice prior to an operation.

They are contending that the main objective of this new proposal is to shut them down and rule them out of existence completely.

My mind immediately went to the integral role it plays in Guyana’s economy, wondering why a government would want to dissuade such a sector.

After listening to the concerns of some of these miners during the meetings with the governmental team over the weekend, the general consensus was that they were not properly consulted and informed about the new direction being taken.

How is it then that they can conclude that there is a plot to end their operations if they still lack information?

I myself needed some clarifications on the details about this proposed six month notice period and after several discussions at various levels, I think I got an answer listening to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on NCN.

From his explanation I gather that it is a proposal seeking to bring miners in line with the same regulations of timber operators to take account of their cutting.

I stand corrected, but I believe that this is a reasonable proposal that should not be interpreted the wrong way. Remember nothing is yet written in stone.