By Ravin Singh
AS of May 2016, gold production has increased by 92,000 ounces compared to the same period last year despite gold prices being a bit sluggish, and this could be credited to the hard work of small and medium-scale miners, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman has said. The minister made this disclosure on Thursday at a press conference which was held at his Brickdam office. As of Thursday last, gold declarations for 2016 were 243,000 ounces, which according to the minister was a “very good total.” He was of the belief that this is reflective of the hard work of the small and medium-scale miners, since a greater portion of the production came from miners in those two categories. For the same period last year, 151,000 ounces of gold were recorded to have been produced.
The minister explained that small-scale miners continue to be “diligent and very productive” in the field, even though gold prices have been a bit sluggish.
“The credit goes to them for their commitment,” he said. But this 61 per cent increase in production was not only credited to the hard work of small and medium-scale miners. In fact, Minister Trotman revealed that Government’s efforts in curbing smuggling are starting to bear fruit.
“This is a clear sign that we are starting to see a shift in the trends. I wouldn’t say that we have won, but certainly it definitely shows that we are getting more declarations from local mining with the reduction in smuggling” the minister said.
He also hinted at an anti-smuggling programme which was started by the Natural Resources Ministry, but was eventually taken over by the Ministry of Public Security with the support of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
Additionally, he noted that entry into the sector by Troy Resources and Aurora Gold mines had also aided in the increase in gold production for the year.
READY FOR APPLICATION
Meanwhile, the minister revealed that small-scale mining operators applying for consideration for prospecting permits to mining lands will be given priority by the Closed Area Committee (CAC), which is ready to commence receiving applications.
In April of this year, the Natural Resources Ministry had announced that it was in the process of finalising arrangements to make lands available for small miners. And according to the minister, at the Closed Area Committee (CAC) meeting held earlier this week, it was agreed that the committee is ready to receive applications for consideration for prospecting permits to mining lands.
Further, he noted that it was agreed by all parties, including the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), that first priority will be given to small mining operations.
Minister Trotman further explained that the GGMC will receive applications and will provide the CAC with background information to allow the committee to make informed recommendations to the minister for approval.
“The next immediate order of business is to address application for persons who require alternative blocks of mining lands. At this point in time we are not contemplating a lottery, because we want to ensure that those with the greater need will be given the first preference,” the minister said.
He revealed that the alternative blocks which were applied for by persons, were those which were deemed to have sand and rocks in its composition. As such, after the applications for small miners would have been examined and a decision made, applications for alternative blocks will be examined. The size of allocated lands will be approximately 422 acres, which shall constitute a block.
According to the minister, a miner may be considered for a grant up to a maximum of three blocks (1266 acres), and this will be based on the miner’s competency and resources, both financial and technical.
The mining blocks will be given out in the six mining districts, namely Berbice, Potaro, Mazaruni, Cuyuni, the North West and The Rupununi.
“The Ministry remains very committed to ensuring that small miners, who are a valuable part of the natural resources sector are able to ply their trade in a way that is beneficial to all. However, this must be done within the confines of the laws of Guyana and according to the guidelines and regulations that govern the sector,” Minister Trotman added.
The details for the process of making the applications, and the criteria to be applied, will be published in the daily newspapers, the ministry’s website at: www.nre.gov.gy and through other media.