–Minister Broomes assures miners

MINISTER within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes on Wednesday outlined her Ministry’s projections for 2018 as it relates to the mining sector.

Broomes, a veteran miner, told the National Assembly, on day three of the 2018 budget debates that her most recent initiative, the mining syndicates is “up and running well.”

She explained that more than 2000 persons stand to benefit from the employment from the initiative which was introduced earlier this year.

She told the House, that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government is doing its best to fulfill its promises to the Guyanese people.

Despite the criticisms made by the parliamentary Opposition, People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Broomes defended her administration’s 2018 budget, the fourth since taking office in 2015.

“…it is because of a vision, that come 2018 all miners in the sector can look forward to the good life,” Minister Broomes said of the syndicates.

She noted that some 339 small miners from 13 organisations across Guyana have since been registered while stressing that over 10,000 are estimated to benefit from the initiative.

Syndicates were introduced under the Coalition Government to address the issue of land allocation for small scale miners. Given the history of mining here, the minister said all illicit activities, be it labour violations, trafficking in persons and narcotics, unsafe mining, will not be tolerated.

Stricter monitoring of mining districts will be done by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Broomes announced. In this vain, GGMC has been tasked with training members of the syndicates in proper mining techniques and safety. There has over the years been a number of mining pit cave -ins which resulted in the death of many.

SWEEP UP UNTRUTHS
Broomes dismissed statements by the Opposition which suggests that her Government is uncaring. “I am here to sweep up the untruths,” she said as she boasted about her Government’s transparency, accountability and inclusivity.

Turning her attention to the specific allocations in the budget for the mining, Broomes said special emphasis will be placed on greening the environment.
She said the Environmental Division of GGMC has been allocated $81.6M for the environmental compliance monitoring and regulation.

This includes the activities in the areas of ‘tail end’ management, turbidity monitoring, mercury inventory, retorts, sanitation, forest clearance measurements and occupational health and safety.

Additionally, there would be the monitoring of water quality in and around mining districts and some $36M has been allocated for these activities which include water quality surveys and flow analysis.

As it relates to the use of mercury, Broomes pointed to the Minamata Convention. Some $15M has been allocated in 2018 for mercury surveys to be done. It is expected that at the end of surveys, a base level determination of the state of mercury pollution impact on miners will be derived. Strategies are expected to be employed to reduce same.

Additionally, $140M has been allocated for the monitoring and inspection activities to ensure compliance in conformity with the Mining Act, $419M towards the mines inspectorate, $32M for the Mineral Processing Unit, $40M for Mines Administration, $675M for the Geological Services Division, $27M for the Kimberley Process Certificate Scheme, and $15M to upgrade to a paperless office.

HAPPY
Broomes explained that miners are happy because the Government listened to their cries.

Meanwhile, Broomes who has championed the cause of women over the years and particularly, female miners, said the time has come for women miners to be respected as they too work hard. She said policies must be gender neutral to ensure that there is equality across the board.

She chided the Opposition which claimed there was nothing in budget 2018 for women.

“It is this Government which has recognised that in the extractive there are women… thank God for this Government. I am qualified to speak on the matter of women,” she said, pointing to years of PPP rule which saw many women and young girls being trafficked.

“Where were they when women were being trafficked?” she asked while noting that her administration is rooting out all instances of corruption here.

“This Government has a vision… this sector will become transparent, accountable and a gender-neutral sector,” she said as she noted that her Ministry will work with all stakeholders to put together a guiding policy.