I take this opportunity to congratulate my fellow miners on achieving once again the first ever feat of reaching gold production levels surpassing 363,000 ounces in November, which was total production for the year 2011. The sector  anticipates  reaching an unprecedented target of 400,000 ounces for 2012 in the history of Guyana’s gold production. Once again we have proven our resilience to achieve greater heights within the mining sector under the first ever Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment established to coordinate the extractive and natural resources sectors of Guyana. I must state that the ministry has been instrumental in supporting the initiatives of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission working closely with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association.  This is the kind of stakeholder collaboration that is needed to further transport the mining sector and by extension Guyana.
However, all miners must recognise that mining cannot continue as it is currently and  if we all want a sustainable sector which will continue to reach record-breaking levels of production; all stakeholders will have to work together to comply with the mining regulations towards a profitable mining sector.
Despite the challenges the sector has grown and evolved over the years and has proven its ability to provide employment and contribute significantly to the development of Guyana. With that said I would like to commend the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, for his leadership and support for the mining sector as we aspire to a brighter future for all of Guyana.