DESPITE record gold production, members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) are clamouring for more concessions from government and have demanded that the administration unveil a clear policy for the sector. The miners are also seeking an audience with President David Granger for him to shed greater light on his green-economy strategy. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, on Thursday said that as of May 2016, gold production 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
But, at a GGDMA members meeting on Friday afternoon, members raised several concerns that they said should be addressed with alacrity by the APNU+AFC administration. Among those concerns are what they described as the lack of a clear policy for the mining sector and increased production costs.
GGDMA President, Terrence Adams, stated that it is imperative that the administration state exactly what its policy is with regard to the sector. To this end, the miners’ association is hoping to soon engage President Granger.
“You go to a meeting with one person and they tell you this is what they are going to do…you go to another meeting and they tell you something else. It is very confusing,” declared Adams amid loud rumbles of agreement.
The stakeholders in the billion-dollar industry are asking what exactly the President means when he speaks of the much promulgated green economy and where exactly does the mining sector sits in such a plan. They believe that the inaction on the part of the government is a deliberate attempt to sideline them in preparation for Guyana’s launch into the oil and gas sector in the coming years.
“As far as I am concerned…they only get time now for the two big companies…buying time for the oil and then they done with you,” said GGDMA executive member Edward Shields, later adding: “If we don’t wake up we will be thrown under the green bus.”
Speaking directly to the mining population, Shields stated: “The most I could tell all yuh is to get ya laundry bill, clean up your entrance because eventually…we will have to go.”
The GGDMA executive member emphasised the need for a comprehensive, legally binding document from the government.
“They are making policies not laws and this industry right now is governed by don’t do this…if somebody does something wrong they are not going after that person…they are going for the broad brush,” he stated, explaining the plight of the mining community. It was noted that for the past few years the mining community has been scaling back on production “little by little,” and as it stands right now, the industry is in a crisis.
Another executive member, Andron Alphonso, noted that at present the mining community feels unappreciated, with whatever concessions available being given to the larger companies, while the small and medium-scale miners are getting the short end of the stick.
“We need to know from the boss himself…what is the way forward for mining? And what is the government’s policy for mining? We love foreign investment, we want more Auroras, we want more Troys and these things; that’s not the problem…you can’t forget the contribution of the local miner,” he stated emphatically.
Concessions were promised to the small miners since under the Donald Ramotar presidency, however, they claim that none have been forthcoming and whenever they do apply, those applications get tied up in bureaucratic red tape.
“For anyone in government to not be able to see that enforcing certain regulations and pushing this sector off the brink would be deteriorating and further destructive to the country,” Alphonso added.
Miners are urging that the government do a comprehensive assessment of the industry in order to plan the way forward in the industry. As of Thursday last, gold declarations for 2016 were 243,000 ounces. For the same period last year, 151,000 ounces of gold were recorded to have been produced.