Iranian geological team arrives
A four-member delegation of Iranian geological survey experts from that country’s Ministry of Industries and Mines met Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at his Wight’s Lane, Kingston office yesterday. The delegation includes Gold Project Manager in the Ministry of Industries and Mines Geological Survey of Iran Dr. Mohammad Reza Hezareh, Chief of Data Base Somageh Veyseh, Director of Iran Export Industrial Development Bahram Bahram, and Adviser Ali Mohammadi.
Their visit to Guyana is in keeping with the unprecedented intervention in the mining sector of mapping mineral reserves, a venture which emanated from discussions between the Governments of Guyana and Iran following a visit by President Bharrat Jagdeo to the Islamic state early this year.
The Head of State had engaged in several discussions during his visit with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khemenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and many of his Ministers.
Given its size, unique nature and earthquake prone geological location, Iran holds reputable geo-sciences services which can be used to map its mineral wealth.
During the President’s engagements with the Iranian government, the offer was made for Iran to help in the mapping process which the President said will allow stakeholders in the mining sector to have a much more planned development of the sector with greater benefits to the country.
Upon his return to Guyana, the Head of State had explained that for a very long time Guyana relied on investors to seek prospecting licences and develop projects in a ‘hit-or-miss’ manner because of the absence of mineral wealth data in the country, for which the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has been making several efforts to fund.
The Commission’s Chairman William Woolford, Petroleum Division Manager Noel Dennison, and Geological Services Manager Kampta Persaud were also present at yesterday’s meeting.
Out of the President’s visit to Iran also came agreements for a US$1.5M grant for the health sector and the removal of restrictions on visa requirements for diplomatic travel.
The Iranian Government was interested in building a health care delivery facility but was convinced to create instead an educational facility focusing on specialized medicine.
If successful, Guyana would be able, in the long run, to man the entire health system, and at the same time, have Guyanese specialists in different areas. (GINA)