Mining is one of the major economic activities in hinterland communities including Regions Eight and Ten.
For several weeks these Regions have been experiencing heavy rainfall and several communities and mining areas have been affected.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, at a press conference Wednesday, revealed that the sector has been significantly impacted by the flood since the declared production for July is probably only 60% of what was targeted.
“I was out in Port Kaituma and Mahdia a few weeks ago and there is a lot of water,” Prime Minister Hinds stated.
“Some of the mining sites we flew over Tuesday, aback of Omai, on the Siparuni head, the pits are flooded. The workings on the Potaro alongside the river were all flooded; there was some activity, but much of the seemingly active pits were flooded,” Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn stated.
Addressing other economic activities that were affected, such as farming, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall, stated that crops on low-lying areas have washed away.

He noted that prior to the heavy rains, the Ministry of Agriculture had visited the areas and provided seedlings in preparation for the next crop, but this was put on hold owing to the rain.
It was noted that the Ministry is prepared to return to the areas after the rain would have subsided. Minister Lall noted that the livelihood of persons in terms of food would not be affected, since all the areas are practically accessible and food items are imported from Brazil.
Health is a priority of Government and where there is not a heavy concentration of health facilities, health teams have been dispatched. There have been complaints of minor rashes.
In an interview with the Government Information Agency earlier this week, Region Ten Health Officer, Pansy Armstrong, stated that there has been no out-break of any disease, but only a few reported cases of rashes in Region Ten which is the most flood-affected region.
Government will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the livelihood of residents is secure and that they remain healthy.(GINA)