SUBSEQUENT to the launching of the “Pick it up Guyana” campaign by Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, to mark the observance of World Environment Day on June 05, 2012, an initiative to enhance mining communities is now under way. The initiative of the ministry, implemented by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency commenced Wednesday at Mahdia, Region 8, with a green walk around the Mahdia community and Campbelltown. The walk witnessed the participation of the Regional Executive Officer, Ronald Harsaywack, staff of the Region 8 Democratic Council, business people from the community, and students from Mahdia Primary and Secondary Schools.
Further, an exhibition was held at the Mahdia Primary School compound after the walk. The main display was erected by GGMC’s Environmental Division, which portrayed water quality testing equipment, the lumex mercury analyzer, which was used to take random breath samples from miners, and occupational health and safety equipment.
In addition, the Mahdia Dump site was cleared with an excavator and bulldozer. The activities continued yesterday with tours to the land reclamation site and continuous random mercury breath-testing. The exercise in Mahdia facilitated the placement of 30 bins, cleaning of drains and creeks, and the installation of public awareness sign boards.
Similar activities will be undertaken countrywide, as the community enhancement exercise in Mahdia will move on to Port Kaituma and other mining communities.
This community enhancement initiative which has commenced and will be expanded to various mining districts will cost some $20M.
World Environment Day was celebrated on June 05, 2012 under the theme of “Green Economy: Does it include you?”
The ‘Pick it up Guyana’ launch culminated with the first clean up at the National Park.