PRESIDENT of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) Mr. Patrick Harding, reminded miners at the opening of the Charity, Branch of the Guyana Gold Board(GGB), that mining is not pork-knocking any longer, noting that they should take their investment seriously and with responsibility by selling their gold to the GGB.

Harding said the opening of the branch comes at a time when the integrity of the mining industry is being questioned. He maintained that as president of the GGDMA, he has always reiterated that miners, and especially members of the GGDMA, are producers and not smugglers of gold, and that the GGDMA has always urged miners to sell their gold to the G.G.B or to licensed dealers.
Highlighting that this year the small and medium- scale alluvial gold and diamond industry will create history by selling over 400 thousand ounces of gold to the Guyana Gold Board , he said that the newly established branch of the GGB will facilitate miners and residents of Charity, Pomeroon and the North-West District, allowing them to deal directly with the G.G.B.
He noted that the recent opening of a branch of Citizen’s Bank and other banking facilities will enable miners and residents to transact business within this community, and not have to travel long distances out of their community to finalise their business. It also gives recognition to the growth of commercial activity in this region due to mining, especially small and medium- scale Gold and Diamond mining.
Harding said small and medium gold and diamond mining is playing a positive role in the development of Guyana, moreso the development of the region. He pointed out that jobs are being created, businesses are being developed, and residents of the region are providing for their families. This district is being developed beneficially from the increase in gold and diamond mining.
He said that the GGDMA which represents small- scale, medium-scale  and large-scale miners from every region and race, has served the gold and diamond-mining industry for over 30 years. It has guided the industry from gold production of less than 10,000 ounces to this year’s achievement of over 400,000 ounces.
Year 2013 will be a challenging year for small and medium alluvial gold and diamond-mining industry. GGDMA will meet with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Guyana Gold Board to discuss the future of the industry, how to deal collectively with the challenges that face the industry and the successful way forward to the benefit of the miners. The GGB will soon open a branch in Port Kaituma