GUYANA Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has welcomed the holding of lotteries, tomorrow, for mining lands in all six districts.

Officials of the organisation had, recently, criticised the absence of such system which, they said, had been frustrating people in the sector who wanted to mine but had no legal access to land.
They had also said that delays in conducting the processes had been reasons used by many to mine illegally.
The GGDMA said that two such procedures were conducted last year but those were not enough to satisfy the demands of small and medium scale miners.
GGDMA President, Mr. Patrick Harding said he was optimistic that the resumption of lotteries and auctions would help to minimise the problem of illegal mining which has been very much in the news recently.
Another GGDMA official, Mr. Colin Sparman confirmed that the lotteries are a very welcome development and he hoped that at least three more would follow, before the end of the year, to accommodate those who wanted to get involved in the business.
The lotteries for special mining permit parcels will be hosted from 10:00 hrs at Kwakwani (Mining District 1), Mahdia (Mining District 2), Bartica (for Mining District 3 and 4), Port Kaituma (Mining District 5) and Lethem (Mining District 6) simultaneously.
Applications to participate in the lotteries close today and, among the requirements are an environmental bond of $100,000 prior to the commencement of mining operations.