THE Ministry of Natural Resources has reiterated that the Government of Guyana will be examining various means through which it can provide additional concessions for the mining community in Guyana.

Such was the message of President David Granger during an interactive business luncheon for members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) and National Mining Syndicate (NMS) at the Baridi Benab, State House on September 6, 2019.
However, the ministry had cause to clarify the sentiments of the President following a letter to the editor which appeared in some sect6ions of the media on September 10, from PPP activist, Robin Singh.

Singh stated that while members of the sector had brought forward their concerns to the President, he is displeased with matters regarding government concessions and other financial burdens. In a release on Thursday, the Ministry of Natural Resources acknowledged Singh’s letter and sought to clarify the responses given by the President at the meeting.

Regarding taxation and concessions, the ministry clarified: “…the President noted the government’s dependence on revenues along with ongoing efforts to review the aspect of government policy to the extent of getting revenues from other sources. He further said that he would encourage the finance minister to examine fair ways and means of looking at concessions and their allocation.”

In true, the President had stated, “It is an aspect of government policy which is continuously under review. To the extent that we could get proceeds, profits or revenues from other sources, I would encourage him [Minister Jordan] to examine ways and means of looking at these concessions. We don’t want a ‘higgly piggly’ taxation in which we give ‘A’ and ‘B’ concessions because ‘C’ and ‘D’ will demand concessions as well. One of the tasks of the GRA [Guyana Revenue Authority] is to try to eliminate anomalies…so that the taxation regime not only brings in more revenue but at the same time is fair and is not subject to the type of abuse which could occur when you have too many loopholes. This is one area which we are prepared to examine.”

Meanwhile, the ministry added, in a release, that the President was provided with a brief of areas of interest to be discussed derived from consultations with members of the mining community.

He also encouraged the miners to speak openly on issues affecting them and to make solution-based recommendations for consideration by government. “During the discussions, the well-known issues of taxation, infrastructure, and mercury use and alternatives were raised. His Excellency’s responses noted the gravity of the concerns and went on to highlight and explain to government’s ongoing challenges and efforts to comprehensively address each,” the ministry noted.

“…he highlighted the efforts to develop infrastructure and its importance, along with the need for improved security and the continuous efforts of the Ministry of Natural Resources to address this through the Corps of Wardens.”

The ministry said that the President’s visit to the region was aimed at fostering greater interaction with the sector’s stakeholders. It reminded that the President has also publicly expressed the government’s commitment to supporting the sustainable and responsible development of the sector by maintaining a symbiotic relationship between mining and environment.