– Mining lotteries to commence in March

AS part of its efforts to ensure the fair distribution of mining lands to applicants, the Minister of Natural Resources has tasked the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Closed Area Committee (CAC) to move forward with the distribution of mining lands.

According to a Ministry of Natural Resources’ press statement, the process will be done by means of a series of mining lotteries which will commence on Friday, March 22, 2019.
The criteria, methodology, and timelines for the mining lottery were finalised by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennisson and CAC Chairman, Abiola Henry, along with support staff at a meeting held at the ministry on Thursday.
“It was the general agreement of the parties that there will be a few lotteries held in the different mining districts, which will give preference to residents of those districts”, said the ministry.

GGMC is in the process of finalising the list of eligible persons. With this list provided, persons within the districts would be able to pull from blocks in a specific district. Those unallocated areas remaining within the districts after this initial exercise will be made available to others.

The lotteries will also facilitate persons who would have applied several years ago. The mining lottery will be a three-month process. This will include the publishing of the names of persons eligible to participate, and public notices stating that the Ministers of Natural Resources and the representatives of the GGMC and CAC will be in the mining areas conducting the closed lottery process.

The first lottery will be held in the Georgetown area on March 22nd, 2019. This will be followed by others in areas such as Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma, Bartica and Mahdia, among others, within the months of April and May, 2019.

The lotteries will be specific to mining districts, allowing small miners within the districts who have applied to have a chance to have access to available mining properties.
Miners who will benefit from this exercise are encouraged and further expected to utilise the lands given, in ways that are safe and environmentally sustainable, and ensure that the laws of Guyana are abided by.