…Broomes warns syndicates against illegal activities

THOUGH pleased with the general performance of the National Mining Syndicate (NMS), Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, on Wednesday expressed disappointment that at least one of the 14 syndicates has fallen prey to alleged corrupt and illegal activities.

In an emergency meeting at her Kingston office, she told the heads of six mining syndicates to steer clear of any corrupt and illegal activities, noting that such would not be tolerated by her ministry. On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Broomes explained to the Guyana Chronicle that during a recent visit by Guyana Geology and Mines Commission’s (GGMC’s) Mines Officers to Puruni, several illegal dredges and shops were found to be in an area allotted to the Jaguar Mining Syndicate (Berbice). This, she said, is a contravention of the constitution guiding the operations of syndicates in Guyana, and would not be tolerated.

“I want to put them on notice that while people think the interior is far, for me it is near. They have pledged, they have a responsibility, they have a commitment, they know that no illegal activity is supposed to happen there, I want to tell them don’t try it. It will not be allowed,” Minister Broomes said.

The issue of illegal activities at Puruni was reported to the Natural Resources Ministry and the National Mining Syndicate, and GGMC has pledged to take action against the defaulters. According to the established rules governing the mining syndicates in Guyana, a syndicate lands are not for sale; the sale of alcohol, drugs and guns is strictly prohibited; money laundering is strictly prohibited and should be reported if identified; child labour and human trafficking are strictly prohibited; decent labour relations must prevail and all mine safety measures are required to be observed.

President of the Jaguar Mining Syndicate, Lloyd Moore, admitted that under his watch, the syndicate has erred, noting that it was a result of ignorance. “The rangers were not fully aware of their responsibilities and as a result, we have to take some of the blame for it.”
Moore said his syndicate is ready to pick up the pieces and put corrective measures in place to prevent a reccurrence.

“We intend to move forward and abide by the mining laws and the rules that govern the syndicates. Our whole intention is, is to uplift our people because they are looking to us to take them out of the poverty-stricken situation that has indeed prolonged upon them for a long period of time,” he told this newspaper.

The Jaguar Mining Syndicate has more than 100 members, but due to lack of finance, some of its members are unable to venture into Puruni to mine for gold.

Jaguar Mining Syndicate aside, Minister Broomes said she is pleased that six of the syndicates have commenced working within areas allotted to them. To date, Fourteen Miles, Puruni, Konawaruk, Gold Search and Jaguar are the Mining Syndicates that are mining.

Since the establishment of mining syndicates close to two years ago, scores of jobs have been created, according to Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources. “The cycle and the spin off to it is bigger than you can expect,” she posited noting that families are benefiting.

President of the National Mining Syndicate, Cheryl Williams, said the national body remains thankful to the government for giving small miners a better opportunity to mine and develop themselves.

Williams said syndicates are faced with several challenges, but continue to pool their resources to remedy some of the issues. “Access to mining lands is one of the challenges and so we are lobbying government to assist us in getting into the mining lands to work,” she pointed out. The National Mining Syndicate, despite challenges, has made several accomplishments.

The national body is expected to meet with the Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman.