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MINISTER of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr. Robert Persaud and officials from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), on Wednesday, visited Olive Creek in Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), where the first of 14 new mining camps was established at a cost of $1.6M each. The minister told the media that they are being set up to ensure the best mining practices and compliance and that enforcement is consistent with the laws and regulations.
“Having these types of facilities make it much more convenient and conducive for better work on the ground, and at the end of the day, for us to manage the mining sector in a manner that fulfils our legal obligations,” he elaborated.
Persaud said the camps are mobile and elevated off of the ground.
He explained that they want staff to work under very safe and humane conditions and that is why the ministry is focusing, this year, on making a lot of investments in this area and the GGMC has been mandated to do so, too.
Persaud said they are working with partners, such as the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), small miners and the Amerindian communities.
According to him, there are about 90 staffers in the mining areas and they intend to have another 50 or 60 before year end, overseeing the different mining districts.
Commissioner of the GGMC, Mr. Rickford Vieira, reiterated that the establishment of the outposts is part of the thrust to make sure that persons comply with their laws and to allow for more officers to be stationed in those areas.
He said each of the camping facilities has the capacity to accommodate about 15 persons and allows for increasing their capacity to monitor the locations.
Vieira acknowledged that the current accommodations for the officers are inadequate and put them at an inconvenience, where they are exposed to malaria and other forms of vector diseases that are common in the mining areas.
The Commissioner disclosed that, every month, between five and 10 persons are infected with malaria in the mining areas and the new camping facilities are guarded by mosquito nets, which makes the officers safer.
“Having these types of facilities make it much more convenient and conducive for better work on the ground, and at the end of the day, for us to manage the mining sector in a manner that fulfils our legal obligations,” he elaborated.
Persaud said the camps are mobile and elevated off of the ground.
He explained that they want staff to work under very safe and humane conditions and that is why the ministry is focusing, this year, on making a lot of investments in this area and the GGMC has been mandated to do so, too.
Persaud said they are working with partners, such as the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), small miners and the Amerindian communities.
According to him, there are about 90 staffers in the mining areas and they intend to have another 50 or 60 before year end, overseeing the different mining districts.
Commissioner of the GGMC, Mr. Rickford Vieira, reiterated that the establishment of the outposts is part of the thrust to make sure that persons comply with their laws and to allow for more officers to be stationed in those areas.
He said each of the camping facilities has the capacity to accommodate about 15 persons and allows for increasing their capacity to monitor the locations.
Vieira acknowledged that the current accommodations for the officers are inadequate and put them at an inconvenience, where they are exposed to malaria and other forms of vector diseases that are common in the mining areas.
The Commissioner disclosed that, every month, between five and 10 persons are infected with malaria in the mining areas and the new camping facilities are guarded by mosquito nets, which makes the officers safer.
