THERE has been an overall increase in gold production, declaration and sales with production recording 314,000 ounces, an increase of about 23 percent over the corresponding period last year.

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud made this disclosure Thursday, and said for the same period last year gold production declaration was just about 207,000 ounces.
“We have seen declaration and sales going up, sales to the Guyana Gold Board as well as to the private dealers,” he noted. Gold exports are also at a 314,000 ounces level, which is also significantly higher than those recorded for the same period last year.
“The sector is recording good performance…the sector has been doing well and has been creating a tremendous impact on our national growth and the economy as a whole,” minister Persaud said. He further stated that the sector has been impacting significantly on job creation and lifting the welfare of the hinterland communities.
Meanwhile, the ministry continues to collaborate with regard to the setting up of the mining school, which is intended to provide the specialised skilled workers needed to support and propel the expansion taking place in the mining sector.
Minister Persaud said that arrangements are progressing with regard to the establishment of the school, as the Ministry has entered into a number of related bi-lateral agreements.
The minister disclosed that only last week the ministry engaged in talks with a representative from the University of Texas Geo-Sciences Department, which is looking to provide support towards the realization of the school.
“There is a lot of preparation taking place and we do hope that very soon we will be able to make programmes available at the school,” the minister said.
He stated that the ministry has been engaging local and international specialists to ensure that input is up to global standards and also meets the national requirements of the mining industry.