Small miners to shun GGDMA protest -say they will not be bullied
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes

SMALL miners, who have reportedly suffered at the hands of executive members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), are continuing to speak out, saying that they will not join with the association to protest the new tax regime for the industry.On Tuesday, Technical Advisor to miners operating out of Imbaimadai, Wallis Daniels, said for years small miners have been neglected by the GGMDA with their views ever so often downplayed and their rights trampled upon.

Addressing miners in the presence of Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes; Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira; and Deputy Chief Mines Officer, Kerwin Josiah; Daniels contended that GGDMA is a self-serving association controlled by a selective few.

GGDMA President Terrence Adams

“They don’t represent small miners,” he lamented, while contending that many of the well-established miners, some of whom sit at the helm of GGDMA, would bully and exploit small miners.

It is alleged that some “large-scale miners” would grant permission for small miners to operate on their mining properties, but when the gold is “bore” or found, would then give them marching orders.

According to Daniels, he has been a victim to such unfair treatment and abuse in the past.

“Their security (personnel) would come with big guns to threaten you and if you don’t move, they fire shots over your head, and if you have your papers, they tie you up in court,” he said.

Daniels said the only time GGMA recognises small miners is when there is a need for support in times of industrial actions.

“GGMDA represents about 100 big miners, there are 20, 000 small miners and about 6, 000 medium scale miners. And 100 people can’t go on strike, and they are not going to go on strike and walk the streets either,” he said.

Before taking his seat, the technical advisor cautioned the miners not to believe everything they hear.

“Don’t believe everything you read in the paper, or hear on the television or on the radio, when the GGDMA speaks because the GGDMA speaks primarily for the big miners, we call them the monsters.”

Last week, Desmond Mattis, a miner who operates along the Middle Mazaruni River just below Itaki, had a similar complaint. Mattis told the Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources and a team from GGMC, that prior to him having an illegal operation there, he had sought the legal means, but after his team had started producing gold, an Executive Member of GGMA (name given), who he had paid millions of dollars to operate on the land, put them off of the concession.

Bonalita Lois Critchlow, Edward Jones and Nazim Khan of Issano had also chronicled similar experiences.

However, when contacted, GGDMA President Terrence Adams said: “If it is a fact, let them bring the evidence. Let them bring the receipts and say who they would have paid,” Adams lamented. According to him, “people would raid” other people’s lands, and when caught, would fabricate stories to defend themselves.

Technical Advisor to the miners of Imbaimadai, Wallis Daniels

Addressing claims that GGDMA does not represent small miners, Adams said it is just a perception. “I am a small miner, and I am the president of the association,” he pointed out.
The relationship between GGDMA and small miners in Guyana hit rock bottom last month, when the small miners opted to join the association in attending a meeting convened by the Finance Ministry, in collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Natural Resources Ministry, to address the concerns of miners with respect to the new tax regime.

Annoyed by their presence, GGDMA subsequently issued a statement describing the small miners as itinerants. In response, Konaaruk Mining Syndicate Chairman, Garfield Wintz, lashed out at the GGDMA.

Wintz contended that the association was upset because it was accustomed to having its own private meetings with government officials, where they dictate what happens in the mining industry in Guyana. He said the meeting held on January 17, by the Government officials allowed for all to be represented.

“These kinds of dialogue would have traditionally excluded small miners, so we are grateful to the ministers, especially Minister Broomes, who invited us to this meeting.”

According to Wintz, no longer will the small miners be bullied by the Executive Members of GGDMA.

“We small miners are no longer itinerants who can be bullied or evicted by members of the GGDMA, but instead we are now mining syndicates with a voice and a seat at the decision-making table. We have also started to receive lands to work from this coalition government and we are no longer at the mercy of the GGDMA,” he stated.

GOVT WILL REPRESENT ALL MINERS
In an interview with Guyana Chronicle, Minister Broomes said the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government represents and respects the views of all citizens.

As Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Minister, she said “I represent all levels of miners from the bottom up and from the top coming down…it is very unfortunate to call some of the miners touts and some of the names I would not wish to repeat.”

All miners she stressed are equally important. Minister Broomes said she has taken note of the disrespectful manner in which the GGDMA would have referenced her after the meeting, but will not allow herself to be distracted.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.