Latest update November 17th, 2024 1:00 AM
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Crime, malaria, mercury ban on front burner for miners
– floating police outpost for gold mining areas
A floating police outpost for the mining areas in the hinterland as well as strategic checkpoints are all on the card this year as stakeholders move to tackle an upsurge in crime.
The mining meeting on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) hosted a luncheon with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) to discuss the plans for the mining sector for 2013.
According to a joint statement from the two, this was in keeping with the commitment made by the Ministry after its formation, to have a more inclusive and collaborative working relationship with the miners’ association and to continue building on the relationship and achievements of 2012.
The meeting which focused on technical assistance to the mining sector, security concerns, health issues and infrastructure development also witnessed the participation of senior officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Gold Board.
Also there were Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran.
According to Dr. Ramsaran, malaria is a critical issue being tackled in the hinterland. Soon
50,000 mosquito nets will be distributed especially in Regions One, Seven and Nine and other “hot spot” communities affected by malaria.
Miners were also informed by Minister Rohee that the process for the application and granting of firearm licences was revised and all applications would be reviewed by an Approval Board which will be established to ensure that the process is transparent, structured, efficient and just. In addition, the application process will be computerized to expedite and streamline the process.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the GGDMA said that it has launched a countrywide outreach programme with the main objectives of increasing miners’ understanding about developments in the industry and to help push for increased gold declarations.
Speaking at the first outreach meeting for 2013, GGDMA’s President Patrick Harding called on miners to ensure that “this year the small and medium scale mining operations will produce the most gold ever in the history of Guyana” surpassing the 2001 target of 456,918 ounces of gold set when Omai Gold Mines was at the height of its operation.
This year, according to the GGDMA, the Association has not set a ‘figure specific’ target since it expects to surpass all expectations and urged members to sell their gold to the Guyana Gold Board and licensed dealers.
Specific issues being addressed in the meetings are malaria, crime, the reduced international supply of mercury and the need to explore alternative recovery mechanisms.
According to GGDMA, miners were also urged to ensure that they backfill areas after mining, to ensure that special attention is paid to the health and safety of workers and to follow the regulations established by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC ).
The first meeting was held at Charity, Essequibo Coast and saw a large turnout of miners and other stakeholders in the industry, who took the opportunity to ask several questions and to raise many other issues.
Among other issues raised were land allocation, the need for improved infrastructure such as roads, the influx of foreign miners and the benefits of selling gold to the Guyana Gold Board and licensed dealers.
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