–in bid to enhance the industry
AS PART of an ongoing programme to interact with all stakeholders in the mining sector, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr Robert M. Persaud announced, Thursday, a major initiative to commence the enhancement of mainstream mining communities in the various mining districts. Minister Persaud was at the time addressing miners and residents of Mahdia, and was dealing with infrastructural, social, and economic issues affecting mining communities.
He deemed this a process involving multi-stakeholder approach, including the Regional Democratic Council, residents, and other government ministries. As such, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) will embark on an environmental enhancement project, especially dealing with sanitation and other environmental matters, to improve the conditions of mining communities in all mining districts, beginning with Mahdia.
Minister Persaud also briefed miners on efforts to have more lands available to facilitate small miners having access to lands for mining through a process of lottery and auction. Moreover, he pointed out that the enforcement of “Operation El Dorado” will continue indefinitely, and he urged miners and others within the sector to regularize their activities and avoid being prosecuted.
Further, he announced that “Operation El Dorado” would be enhanced and supported by a permanent Inspectorate Unit within the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, in order to bring order and legality within the mining sector.
“Operation El Dorado” was launched to target all factors relating to illegal mining and other activities, and to lift the standards of mining towards creating a sustainable and environmentally-friendly mining sector.
President of the Guyana Women Miners Association (GWMA), Ms. Simona Broomes, commended Minister Persaud for his timely visit, and urged all miners to highlight their concerns, in order to bring about change in Mahdia. She also encouraged miners to utilize the interactive session to highlight issues of concern, as the sector has the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the Government of Guyana to effect necessary change.
Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) Chairman, Mark Crawford applauded Minister Persaud for taking steps to regularize the mining sector, and opined it is unfortunate that regularization of the mining sector did not occur ten years ago. He also stated that miners must obtain mining permits before operating to generate revenue, which will return to the country.
Also present at the meeting were Ronald Harsawack, Regional Executive Officer; Mr. Joseph Hamilton, Member of Parliament; and other senior government officials.