THE Guyana Gold Board (GGB) has officially commenced operations at Puruni Landing, Region Seven, marking a key follow-up initiative to President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s recent engagement with miners in the interior and part of the Government’s broader push to strengthen compliance, accessibility and formal participation in the gold sector.
According to a public notice issued by the Board, the new operations are being rolled out in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and represent a significant step toward expanding essential mining services to hinterland communities, where access to official gold purchasing and testing facilities has traditionally been limited.
The establishment of a permanent GGB presence in Puruni is expected to improve access to secure gold transactions, official valuation services, and proper documentation, while also providing advisory support to miners on procedures, requirements, and compliance obligations.
This will strengthen institutional support for miners and stakeholders operating across the Region Seven mining district.
Through the new office, miners will be able to access a range of services including gold purchasing and transactions, certified gold testing and valuation, issuance of receipts and official documentation and administrative support related to GGB requirements.
The office will operate Monday to Friday from 08:00 hrs to 16:30 hrs and on Saturdays from 09:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs, remaining closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Officials said the presence of the Board in Puruni is designed to ensure miners benefit from secure, transparent, and regulated transactions, including accurate weighing using certified equipment, standardised purity testing, and confidential processing of sales.
The initiative also supports compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements while ensuring accurate recording of taxes and royalties.
The opening of the office complements the Government’s wider strategy to formalise mining operations, improve declaration levels, and reduce the need for miners to travel long distances to conduct transactions, thereby enhancing safety, efficiency, and financial inclusion within interior mining communities.
The expansion of GGB services to Puruni follows President Ali’s recent visit to the area, during which he announced a series of measures aimed at strengthening regulation, improving access to banking services and supporting the long-term development of small and medium-scale miners across the hinterland.
