THE MINISTRYof Natural Resources and the Environment, together with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have recognised the key players in the mining sector at an award ceremony Herdmanston House, Queenstown, as part of activities to mark Mining Week 2012. Tokens of appreciation were given to the awardees in various categories, including good mining practices, production rates, use of alternative technology, and using good management techniques.
Among the top gold and diamond producers and those honoured for following good practices are Alfro Alphonso, Chunnilall Babulall, Ramnarine, Johnny H. Dos Santos, Peter Robinson, Wendelle Wade, Dawn Williams, Cheryl Williams and Ryan and Huliho Pereira.
Royalties collected in mining communities were presented to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, and these will be put into a special fund set up by the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and will be used to aid development in Amerindian communities.
Former GGMC commissioners, Major General Ret., Joe Singh, now Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn, Brian Sucre, and William Woolford were also honoured for their leadership and contributions to the sector.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who had oversight for the mining sector for a number of years, was acknowledged for his leadership and support.
In his remarks, he expressed appreciation to the GGMC and the mining sector and noted that the development of the road to Mahdia and the Linden to Lethem road aided significantly the development of the sector, since miners now have better opportunities to access their mining grounds in a timely manner.
Mr. Hinds indicated that success requires great change, since the many small and medium-scale mining operations create the situation where what was acceptable before is no longer so.
He stated that there is need to raise the level of operations since there are great challenges ahead for small miners; nevertheless, he urged that they keep steady on the track to better operations.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud, acknowledged the importance of recognising the contributors to the mining sector.
This type of recognition is important, “because it ties in with the importance of the mining sector and because of the need for us to ensure that we have best practices and good examples… whereby we have players that can be emulated nationally and internationally,” he said.
Minister Persaud noted that from time to time, there are articles written by persons who come to Guyana for short periods and make declarations and assertions as to the state of the industry.
“I think it is harmful and it is repulsive, and we in the sector must reject that type of impression… we’re not a banana republic we’re not a backwater place where we have no systems, monitoring, regulations,” he declared.
The minister referred to a cartoon in a daily newspaper about the mining sector captioned ‘Mayhem’, which he said is disturbing, since it gives people the feeling that the mining sector is one that lacks standards and in which lawlessness prevails.
Minister Persaud acknowledged that while more could be done, in terms of regulations and GGMC, as the agency with overall oversight and support for the industry, that is not to say that in Guyana the mining sector is operating in a free for all manner.
Minister Persaud highlighted that the sector is very crucial to Guyana’s national growth and development, and the possibilities in terms of rapidly transforming the lives at the macro, individual and community levels are certainly tremendous. This impression, he stressed must be conveyed together in people’s actions, statements and intentions, thereby esteeming the value and importance of the industry.
He highlighted that gold prices are at attractive levels and this is good for development and the mining sector. Currently, declarations are above 33 percent higher than where they were last year, and over 22 percent of what was budgeted for.
The Natural Resources Minister stated that it must be made absolutely clear that the activities of the mining sector do not conflict with that of the existence, development, rights and entitlements of the indigenous peoples.
“Again, we want to emphasise that there are issues that we have to work on, there are concerns that mining and Amerindian communities will have, but that should not give rise to an atmosphere of tension of dialogue where it is not constructive,” he said.
He pointed out that President Donald Ramotar, on the issue of land titling, land extensions and demarcations, had given clear directions that there must be guidance, collaboration and due process at the end of the day, when everyone involved feels that there is justice and fair play.
The minister indicated that the ministry is committed to working in partnership with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Guyana Women Miners Organisation and other stakeholders in the sector to strengthen weak areas.