GUYANESE stakeholders recently participated in a two-day regional gold mining conference in Suriname, organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas under the theme ‘Transforming the small scale gold mining sector.’
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Major General (rt’d) Joe Singh led the Guyana delegation of policy makers, mining regulators, management authorities and technical specialists.
Others in the sector from Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil also attended.
The WWF disclosed that the objectives included a review of improved techniques and practices for better management of the industry, networking on technological improvements and awareness raising among stakeholders, as well as sharing experiences of countries that are confronted with similar issues.
Participants also benefited from field tours to the large scale Rosebel Gold Mine, the Nieuw Koffie small scale gold mine and the Afohaka Hydro Dam, all locations in Suriname.
Other Guyanese participants included senior staffers of GGMC, Mrs. Dianne McDonald, Mr. Wendell Alleyne and Mr. Krishna Ramdass and senior official of Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Mr. Colin Sparman.
The Guyanese contingent was among 80 others who examined the various techniques employed to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of gold mining as well as ways in which the management of the small and medium scale sector in the Guianas could be improved.
A member of the returned delegation said that the “highly educational and illuminating” discussions had taken place on four major themes, namely policy and regulation of small scale gold mining, marketing and organisation of miners and best practices.
The source said that several agreements were arrived at and those who participated are working on a declaration on the deliberations.
The WWF source said that the Regional Gold Mining Conference in Suriname was in keeping with its Guianas’ Sustainable Forest Resources Management Project which aims at reducing the environmental impact of gold mining on them.