ANOTHER record-breaking year for gold production in Guyana is on the horizon as latest reports at the end of July this year indicate that production of almost 400,000 ounces of gold had been declared.

According to a release from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), gold declarations to date for 2019 show an increase over similar declarations for the same period in 2018 and the trend points to another record-breaking year for production and declarations in 2019.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, made the disclosure on Wednesday last when he joined the Board Members and staff of the GGMC to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Minister Trotman told the audience that recent achievements of the mining and mineral sector included the latest reports that as at the end of July, production of almost 400,000 ounces of gold had been declared. The figure represents an approximate average of 55,000 ounces per month.

As regards the bauxite sector, the GGMC said that Guyana now boasts three ongoing bauxite operations at Linden and Aroaima in Region 10, and at Bonasika in Region Three. This is as a result of First Bauxite’s entry to the fold of bauxite producers alongside Bosai Minerals and Rusal.

During the event, Trotman lauded the exemplary work of the Petroleum Division of the GGMC in preparing the nation for ‘first oil’ within the targeted period, and he commended GGMC’s embracing of information technology to digitise the process of applications for prospecting and mining permits and overall land management.

All these achievements, the minister opined, have been made in the face of attempts at disruption of operations of the institution, challenges brought on by changing weather patterns that hinder effective hinterland road maintenance, and unhelpful criticism, which seek to define the GGMC as an inept and inefficient state agency.

He said the GGMC has defied its critics and continues to stand strong.
Minister Trotman reiterated the five limbs of the APNU+AFC government’s mining policy as first mentioned by President Granger in 2015. Those being to have improved infrastructure development, improved security and human safety, improved health and environmental security with a mandatory process of land reclamation and reforestation, improved law enforcement; and a modern, safe and technologically-advanced gold mining sector.