By Vanessa Braithwaite

JUNIOR Minister of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes has outlined several big plans for miners and the mining sector in 2017, plans that are a far cry from what had obtained under the last administration.

Sporting a schoolgirlish hairstyle, scarlet ribbons and all, Broomes had the full attention of the House as she shared with colleague parliamentarians some of the horrors miners were forced to endure in the past.

Her anectdotes no doubt struck a chord with the few miners sitting patiently waiting in the public gallery, many having travelled from as far afield as Mahdia just to hear for themselves what the budget has in store for them in 2017.

Several miners and mining organisations were recently critical of the government for the removal of certain concessions previously granted the sector.

It’s a decision that many feel is ill-advised, particularly the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO). Both organisations mistakenly believe that such a decision will only result in the gold-mining sector experiencing a decline rather than growth, as it is the small and medium-scale miners that will be affected the most.

As a former miner herself, Minister Broomes fully appreciates their dilemma, and at Wednesday’s meeting of the House to debate the budget, apologised to Finance Minister Mr Winston Jordan for the misconception.

“Allow me to apologise for my dear friends with whom I’m associated within the GGDMA, and as a founder member of the GWMO for misleading the miners by saying that the Minister of Finance will take all tax concessions granted to them,” Minister Broomes said.

Having gotten that out of the way, Minister Broomes proceeded to explain that not everything will be taken away; that pumps, four-wheel-drive vehicles and fuel are among some of the items that still will receive concessions.

She said, too, that plans are afoot to give potential miners and small-scale miners; even the regular man-in-the-street, land in clusters.

Noting that the issue of ‘landlordism’ will be addressed through the Special Land Use Committee, so that many Guyanese will be granted land if they so desire, Minister Broomes said: “Be you in a wheelchair; be you in the media, as long as you are a Guyanese, the natural patrimony and the wealth of the country belongs to all of you. And so, we will be giving out lands; we will set aside lands for all Guyanese.”

One of the major plans that the 2017 Budget will allow for is the complete mapping of the country by 2020. A total of $2B will be allocated for this project, which is to be spearheaded by the Geological Surveys Department of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

All six mining districts will be mapped, so as to ascertain the location of 40 minerals, mining sites, pits etc. “We will walk the walk with the miners,” Minister Broomes said, “so that when we come back, we will say to Guyana how many properties are being mined in the region, where the dredges are positioned, the condition of the water and every detail. That is the kind of management that we are talking about.”

Another major breakthrough for 2017 will be the increase in consultations and the enabling of a better relationship between the Ministry of Natural Resources, the GGMC and miners, especially those small-scale operators who had been previously victimised.

She said that there will be a restructuring of the GGMC Board, as priority will be given to delivery to the miners. Other plans for 2017 include the focusing on natural resources other than gold and diamonds, and the training of mining officers on the extraction of laterite and preventative measures to avoid accidents in the extractive industries.

Minister Broomes reiterated that miners will enjoy a good life in 2017, as much is in store for the sector, including the removal of many of the burdens and social stereotypes that are attached to the industry.