ON Wednesday, a most useful and commendable forum was hosted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment aimed at regularising mining activities and curbing illegal mining among non-nationals.
Minister Robert Persaud quite correctly stressed that his ministry will adopt a zero tolerance for breaching of mining regulations. Violations of mining regulations have very serious adverse environmental and socio-implications and therefore a zero tolerance of their violations is not an option, but rather an imperative and therefore it was good to see that Mr. Persaud emphasised this issue during his presentation.
“Today, I want to make it absolutely clear that there will be zero-tolerance for breaches of our regulations, and also of conditions set out in our mining Act, as it pertains to all those who operate within the mining sector,” he declared.
We have seen the damage caused by illegal mining and a “wild west” approach in many parts of the world and therefore we should learn from these experiences and not allow similar damage to be done here. At all costs we must protect our environment and the living conditions of our indigenous people who are mainly the inhabitants of the mining communities.
It is well known that besides creating environmental damage, the contamination resulting from leakage of chemicals also affect the health of the local population. Mining companies in some countries are required to follow environmental and rehabilitation codes, ensuring the area mined is returned to close to its original state. Some mining methods may have significant environmental and public health effects.
According to Peak Association Inc. in Papua-New Guinea, illegal mining frequently occurs in rural areas in developing countries where a relatively low standard of living is evident. It is a complex and difficult issue to manage and one of the principal challenges to mining operations at Porgera.
Illegal miners are people who enter the mine property (SML) without permission with the intention of stealing gold-bearing ore. Those involved in illegal mining are trespassers and are breaking the law.
This differs from artisanal and small-scale miners, who generate income from labour-intensive mining activities, based on formal, legal or informal mining rights. This type of mining activity uses limited technology and often involves traditional panning and sluicing methods to recover gold from creek beds, river benches and other locations. Barrick has an interest in a mutually respectful and peaceful coexistence with lawful artisanal and small-scale miners.
Conversely, illegal mining breaches the provisions of the following laws of PNG: the Mining Act, the Summary Offences Act: the Criminal Code and the laws governing the Porgera Joint Venture.

On this note it would be wise to have all regulations and environmental conditions properly translated into the languages of the non-nationals because language barriers could be an impediment in ensuring that they obey to the letter of the law and at the same time would make it easier for the non-nationals to acquaint themselves with the local laws, regulations and conditions governing mining.
It is not that we would want to discourage investments by non-nationals in the mining sector, on the contrary we welcome them but we have to ensure that these investments are done in accordance with the laws, regulations and conditions laid down to here. And this was reiterated by Mr. Persaud at the forum.
“What we are seeking to regularise is not only targeting the Brazilian community, but also targeting all non-nationals in Guyana in a very, very broad and in a very, very fair way”.
He assured that the Government of Guyana values the close and longstanding relationship with the government and people of Brazil, and has always recognised that both government to government, as well as private sector to private sector relationships are important, and can also bring benefits to both peoples.