THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), on Friday, undertook its second mining lottery for 2019 and some 141 persons have received access to a mining block each.

The lottery was undertaken at Port Kaituma in the North West District. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, oversaw the holding of mining lottery.

Trotman, who was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, and Regional Member of Parliament, Richard Allen, explained to the scores who gathered at the event that the exercise was the fulfilment of a promise made to make more mining lands available to small miners in the Region One, Matarki Sub-District, and elsewhere.

The minister, though lamenting the fact that more lands were not readily available, undertook to keep the search open for mining opportunities and called on the successful applicants to use the lands beneficially and with respect for the environment and mining laws. He also expressed appreciation to the diligent and hardworking staff of GGMC for making the lottery possible.

Minister Garrido-Lowe, in brief remarks, congratulated the miners and residents of Port Kaituma, while reminding them that the APNU+AFC government is working assiduously to address their needs and to provide a good life. She mentioned the ongoing road construction as one such “good life” project.

The GGMC undertook a similar exercise earlier this year in Georgetown.