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Bartica miners join call for GGMC overhaul
Fred McWilfred
William Woolford
– say “cease work orders” being abused
By Leonard Gildarie
Amidst Government concerns over “corruption” at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), at least one mining body agrees that changes have to be made to further protect operators.
President of the Bartica Community and Mining Development Association (BCMDA), Fred McWilfred, also claimed that the “cease work order” which empowers mining officers to close work sites was being abused, and should be urgently reviewed.
Last week, speaking at the army’s annual officers’ conference, President Bharrat Jagdeo expressed unhappiness over “corruption” at the GGMC, which he described as “unbelievable”. He warned that army personnel may have to be sent in to help resolve the “situation”.
GGMC’s Commissioner, William Woolford, is quoted in the media as saying that the state-owned entity is prepared to act, but must be presented with evidence.
Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, a former head of GGMC, reportedly expressed “surprise” at Woolford’s statements, and had called for “an urgent review” of GGMC’s leadership.
Nowhere was there denial that the mining industry had corruption.
According to McWilfred, in an interview with Kaieteur News, as a miner and a strong advocate for improvements in the mining industry, he has been meeting with GGMC to resolve some of the concerns.
“I myself have a lot of concerns over the systems and processes. I have engaged Mr. Woolford…His claim of the lack of evidence is nothing new to me.”
The BCMDA official, who has been outspoken for small miners, claimed that because miners are literally at the mercy of the mining officers, they are afraid to speak out.
“The reality is that a mining officer, if he or she looks hard enough, can find infractions of the regulations. Many of the miners, because of the way they operate, sometimes fall short.”
It is here that miners are literally forced to pay up or have a cease work order placed on their operations.
There have been stories of mining officers turning a blind eye to infractions, even allowing or helping some miners to jump claims, and taking bribes to look the other way.
“They can appeal to GGMC, but this takes time, and in the meantime no work is done. I am aware that it (corruption) exists, but people are scared to talk.”
It is the view of some small miners that the rampant use of the “cease work orders” was to wear them down to get them out of business, the miner said.
McWilfred noted that he is aware of a recent incident, on January 24, where one small miner learnt that his operations would have been halted.
“He went down to Mr. Woolford who assured that no such thing was being done. However, the order was nevertheless placed.”
There is a great hesitancy by miners to challenge issues that arise with officers since they are afraid of victimization.
McWilfred, while acknowledging that he can “see” with the Commissioner’s assertions that there must be evidence, noted that the reality is that miners, especially the small ones, are being targeted by some mining officers.
Regarding Benn’s call for a review of the GGMC leadership, McWilfred welcomed this, but stressed it must involve the miners in any process that is expected to bring positive changes.
“People are very reluctant. At the commission, things are seen differently. I see the dilemma, but things on the ground are much different.”
Over the past two years, gold prices have been climbing steadily going past the US$1,400 mark per ounce at one stage, much to the delight of miners.
Diamond miners, lured by the high prices, dropped away in search of gold.
It is expected that Government may soon announce new measures to regulate the industry.
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