UNDER the theme, “Promoting safety, sustainability, and economic growth for an inclusive approach towards increased productivity within Guyana’s mining sector,” the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, GGMC, officially launched Mining Week 2023,

From August 21st to August 27th, Mining Week will take place in several regions throughout Guyana, with activities for everyone to enjoy.

According to a recent post by the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre Incorporated, the organisation is thrilled to announce the upcoming Mining Week Celebration in 2023 which aims to foster a culture of safety, promote sustainable practices, and drive economic growth within Guyana’s mining sector.

There will be events like the GGMC’s Pork Knocker Day celebration; this includes a football competition with first and second prizes set at GYD $150,000 and GYD $100,000 respectively. Consolation prizes for traditional mining games (tocuba racing, shoveling and warishi race, batteling, bahir, and storytelling) all in Port Kaituma at the 4 Mile Ground and Puruni Landing on August 26, and on August 27 in Bartica at the Bartica Community Centre Ground.

In addition to this, the mining week started off with an awards ceremony, which consisted of new entrants in the quarrying sector; environmental stewardship; outstanding performer; top gold producer- small miners (4’’ and smaller); top gold producer- excluding traders/ dealers; top gold traders; top diamond producer; top diamond traders; top producer- quarry (stone).

The recipients of these awards are, New Thriving Quarry, which was nominated for the New Entrant Award; for outstanding performer, Linda Hopkinson was nominated for this. The award for gold producer for small miners (4’’ and smaller) saw Viola Stoll as the recipient of that award; top gold producer – excluding traders and dealers saw Adamantium Holdings earning this spot; Top Gold Traders was presented to Gold Target Export. The company has secured its position as the leading gold trader, with 21,479 ounces, while Gago Gold Inc. came in second place with a noteworthy 19,166 ounces.

The title of top diamond producer was given to Luiz S. Lagoin, while the second spot was taken by Cassio C. De Almeida; the nominees for the top diamond trader nominations were Sophdiam and Vick Minerals who attained the second spot; And finally, the top producer – Quarry (Stone) was given to BK International Quarries, the leading stone quarry producer.

In 2022, they impressively produced 373,945 tonnes and shipped out 383,527 tonnes of stone. Toolsie Persaud Quarries, came in after with a production of 355,272 tonnes and a shipment volume of 376,062 tonnes.