By March month-end, miners of Region 7, who have formed themselves into Syndicates, will be able to work maiden lands made available to them through the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, in an invited comment on Monday told the Guyana Chronicle that the miners have formed themselves into a Syndicate called the Karrau Mining Syndicate and have applied to the GGMC for a prospecting permit after which, once granted they’d apply for mining licence.

“The area has been identified, and I must say it is maiden land; that is, land that has not been worked before. That land has real potential…but I should say that not every land has potential but based on the reports I have seen, the land has real potential.”
Additionally, the minister told the Guyana Chronicle that her Ministry will aid in expediting the process for the miners noting that small miners have been calling on the government for years to provide land for them to work.

“We are going to expedite it…so that they can have access to the land in the fastest possible time,” Minister Broomes said while noting that even as that process is taking place miners are currently examining the possibility of gaining full access to the identified land and will be counting their expenses to make entry to the land accessible.

“We are making progress, small miners have been pleading with the government-not just this government-for years to get access to lands because of the hassle they experience, and I am happy that my government’s promise is coming to fruition.”
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Minister Broomes, along with the Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, visited the mining community of Bartica to talk to miners about tax compliance and other mining related matters.

At that meeting which was held at the Regional Office, Broomes reminded miners that it is because of the APNU+AFC coalition government that they are experiencing several firsts, which includes the first female minister within the Mining Sector, several concessions being granted to miners once they are tax compliant, and the distribution of maiden lands to name a few.

She said in the past land was given to miners through a lottery system but small miners did not benefit as the cost for the lands were as high as $100M. “[Small] Miners were crying out that there was not equal opportunity because they didn’t have the money,” she added, noting that many of the persons who received lands through the lottery and auction could not locate the lands easily and when located discovered that the lands could not be worked because they were either worked out or a swamp.

But notwithstanding the past, Minister Broomes said with the formation of Syndicates, miners have an opportunity to work together for a collective benefit. “It is about human development….Minister Trotman and I have made lands available to you…never before in the history of this country…all of these areas with real potential was given to you.”
In the case of the Karrau Mining Syndicate, the Minister said they have taken a loan and begun the application process for a prospecting permit and thereafter mining licence, but warned miners that the lands provided are not for sale.

“Ensure your dredges are registered; we will support you in terms of training- GGMC will help you…Syndicates can benefit from concessions once there is evidence of tax compliance,” Broomes added.
Additionally, the Minister charged small miners to ensure that the land provided is free of trafficking in persons (TIP), a sore area for the mining industry.

“You will mine safe and take care of the environment…all this government wants is for you to get rich, get a good life. Let us work together- the opportunity is real, here and for you to benefit from,” she said.