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THE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment yesterday received a $12M cheque from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), as part of a one-year project to assist in building capacity in environmental management in the gold-mining sector. 
This project aims primarily to train miners and new entrants into the mining sector, upgrade the codes of practice and assist in the distribution of mercury among different stakeholders, all of which will be executed by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
Speaking at the handing over of the cheque at the ministry’s boardroom, sector minister, Robert Persaud said the ministry welcomes this initiative, which is part of its quest for better environmental management.
Minister Persaud said that issues such as environmental management of the mining sector, particularly the use of mercury and human resource skills development, and updating of the codes of practices and guidelines are critical.
Collaboration with organisations such as the WWF, he said, is certainly helpful and will assist the ministry to improve and enhance what is already being done in the mining sector, thus, contributing to national development and growth.
The ministry has been engaging the relevant stakeholders and agencies including the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) and GGMC to review, update and improve the mining sector.
“We don’t want a situation, where it is when we talk about mining it conjures images of destruction and bad practices, rather learning from our experiences in Guyana, as well as elsewhere and partnering with reputable bodies,” Minister Persaud said.
Though much more needs to be done, Minister Persaud reiterated that the constant dialogue with the GGDMA and other bodies, and approaches to agencies such as the WWF will help address such weaknesses.
This programme will also support curriculum development of the mining school, allowing the ministry to deliver the programme to miners and those who want to get involved and ensuring that the correct type of practices are being executed.
“We have started a number of initiatives that realise our objectives in the mining sector…we realise that human resources development is key and we have been working on developing the Guyana Mining School.
THE MERCURY ISSUE
Mercury has a negative effect on the environment and the human population, especially if proper care is not taken.
Minister Persaud explained that the ministry is gradually working on a 10-year reduction strategy on the use of mercury in the mining sector. This plan was accepted by the Latin American and the Caribbean grouping of countries.
“We don’t believe that we can afford to have an immediate and total ban, it is important when we look particularly at alluvial mining, but we believe and we have seen that we can use it in a very safe and environmentally friendly way,” he said.
The ministry has been engaging international agencies in order to develop a programme which caters for the gradual reduction of mercury use, and increasing capacity in terms of new mercury-free technologies. He said that the multi-stakeholders working group has commenced work in developing this initiative.
Mr. Persaud noted that his ministry has also been providing incentives for mercury-free technology and this has resulted in moving from mercury to non-mercury mining.
“We have to continue to look at training and technology transfer; we have also been exploring a programme which will see Government and the miners’ association setting up a revolving fund,” Minister Persaud said.
This programme will see miners accessing finance so that they can be able to buy into new technology.
WWF Country Manager, Patrick Williams, said the organisation is also engaging a number of stakeholders globally to examine the attempt to ban mercury globally, and Guyana, he said, is interested in opening dialogue through the Government and the responsible ministry to look at the possibility of being part of this process.
GGDMA representative, William Woolford, said that his organisation welcomes this initiative and will be looking for an outcome which will see effective management of the mining sector that utilises sustainable practices and ethics.
The mandate of the miners is to develop the country through mining, and the responsible agencies will be working with the miners to educate and encourage them to use non-mercury technology. (GINA)
This project aims primarily to train miners and new entrants into the mining sector, upgrade the codes of practice and assist in the distribution of mercury among different stakeholders, all of which will be executed by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).Speaking at the handing over of the cheque at the ministry’s boardroom, sector minister, Robert Persaud said the ministry welcomes this initiative, which is part of its quest for better environmental management.
Minister Persaud said that issues such as environmental management of the mining sector, particularly the use of mercury and human resource skills development, and updating of the codes of practices and guidelines are critical.
Collaboration with organisations such as the WWF, he said, is certainly helpful and will assist the ministry to improve and enhance what is already being done in the mining sector, thus, contributing to national development and growth.
The ministry has been engaging the relevant stakeholders and agencies including the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) and GGMC to review, update and improve the mining sector.
“We don’t want a situation, where it is when we talk about mining it conjures images of destruction and bad practices, rather learning from our experiences in Guyana, as well as elsewhere and partnering with reputable bodies,” Minister Persaud said.
Though much more needs to be done, Minister Persaud reiterated that the constant dialogue with the GGDMA and other bodies, and approaches to agencies such as the WWF will help address such weaknesses.
This programme will also support curriculum development of the mining school, allowing the ministry to deliver the programme to miners and those who want to get involved and ensuring that the correct type of practices are being executed.
“We have started a number of initiatives that realise our objectives in the mining sector…we realise that human resources development is key and we have been working on developing the Guyana Mining School.
THE MERCURY ISSUE
Mercury has a negative effect on the environment and the human population, especially if proper care is not taken.
Minister Persaud explained that the ministry is gradually working on a 10-year reduction strategy on the use of mercury in the mining sector. This plan was accepted by the Latin American and the Caribbean grouping of countries.
“We don’t believe that we can afford to have an immediate and total ban, it is important when we look particularly at alluvial mining, but we believe and we have seen that we can use it in a very safe and environmentally friendly way,” he said.
The ministry has been engaging international agencies in order to develop a programme which caters for the gradual reduction of mercury use, and increasing capacity in terms of new mercury-free technologies. He said that the multi-stakeholders working group has commenced work in developing this initiative.
Mr. Persaud noted that his ministry has also been providing incentives for mercury-free technology and this has resulted in moving from mercury to non-mercury mining.
“We have to continue to look at training and technology transfer; we have also been exploring a programme which will see Government and the miners’ association setting up a revolving fund,” Minister Persaud said.
This programme will see miners accessing finance so that they can be able to buy into new technology.
WWF Country Manager, Patrick Williams, said the organisation is also engaging a number of stakeholders globally to examine the attempt to ban mercury globally, and Guyana, he said, is interested in opening dialogue through the Government and the responsible ministry to look at the possibility of being part of this process.
GGDMA representative, William Woolford, said that his organisation welcomes this initiative and will be looking for an outcome which will see effective management of the mining sector that utilises sustainable practices and ethics.
The mandate of the miners is to develop the country through mining, and the responsible agencies will be working with the miners to educate and encourage them to use non-mercury technology. (GINA)
