THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is calling on all miners to ramp up their gold declarations as the country works towards meeting its 2025 national targets. Making the appeal in a statement issued on Saturday, the association stressed that the sustainability of the mining sector depends on transparency, lawful trading and a united effort to stamp out illicit channels.
According to the statement, the GGDMA is once again urging miners to ensure that all gold is sold exclusively to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or to licensed dealers approved by the relevant authorities. Licensed buyers, the association noted, include dealers authorised by the GGB and licensed traders approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
Moreover, the association cautioned miners against selling to “roving traders” or illegal landings; operations the GGDMA described as establishments where illegal gold buyers set up shop to buy directly from unethical miners without any paper trail. These practices, the GGDMA said, are often tied to smuggling networks that deprive the state of significant revenues in taxes and royalties and could be linked to other illicit activities.
To protect themselves and maintain accurate records of their contributions to the national economy, miners were reminded to keep all receipts and transaction documents. The association further advised miners to request periodic statements from their gold dealers and take these statements to the Guyana Gold Board to verify that the information matches what has been reported to the GGB. This step, it said, is essential to ensure that declarations are properly recorded and that all related taxes are correctly paid to the government.
Miners were also urged to confirm the legitimacy of buyers before completing or engaging in any transaction. Lists of approved dealers and licensed traders are publicly available on the Guyana Gold Board and GGMC websites, the association stated, adding that miners are encouraged to consult these resources to ensure compliance.
Additionally, the GGDMA reminded miners that paying workers with gold is illegal. Practices such as the “Blai box,” where workers are compensated with gold rather than wages, must not be allowed, the association said. Gold, it emphasised, should only be used in transactions involving approved buyers or the Guyana Gold Board.
The association also appealed to legitimate small and medium-scale miners to distance themselves from “rogue elements” who pose as small operators while engaging in illegal mining or smuggling. Such activities, the GGDMA stressed, have no place in Guyana’s mining sector.