THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) notes that the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) continues to provide a platform for a few disgruntled persons in the mining sector to attack the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors of the GGMC and the Commission.
“The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the GGMC remain resolute in the implementation of our mandate, in accordance with the Mining Act and Regulations, to ensure the effective management of the mining sector for the benefit of all stakeholders,” according to a statement from the ministry last evening.
“This is the only way there can be profitability and growth of the gold and diamond mining sector. We challenge anyone to show evidence where any step taken to regulate the sector is contrary to the mandate of the Commission.
“While we remain firmly committed to close collaboration and even enhanced consultation and dialogue with the mining community, we will not be intimidated by the unwarranted attacks by a few individuals who want to manipulate the Commission to serve their own agendas and interests. Claims of lack of consultation and involvement between the regulatory agency and the stakeholders have no basis as there is documented evidence both in the public domain and from the series of meetings held to show numerous active and constructive consultations. These will be made public in the coming period.
“We recognise that there is a high amount of disinformation and scare-mongering about the plans, policies and actions of the ministry and the Commission and this we intend to actively correct. In this regard, the minister and a high-level team from the Commission will be visiting all the mining districts over the next several weeks to interact with miners and other stakeholders.
“Further, the ministry has arranged a meeting in the coming week between the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association and the President of Guyana, H.E Donald Ramotar and Minister Persaud to discuss issues of mutual concern and foster a greater working arrangement,” the statement concluded.