Latest update February 6th, 2025 7:27 AM
Stiff screening for mining outfits to prevent money laundering
– more lands to be released this month-end
By Leonard Gildarie
New laws will soon be introduced to prevent possible money laundering and the entrance of questionable characters into the mining business.
Mining officials yesterday admitted that current legislations do not readily address the question of screening.
Soon, new measures under the Ministry of Finance will empower mining regulators, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), to conduct backgrounds on persons applying for
Mining minister, Robert Persaud, and other officials during the press conference yesterday.
mining concessions and land.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, and Rosemary Benjamin-Noble, Legal Advisor of GGMC, were at the time responding to questions from reporters during a press conference yesterday on the mining sector. There have been reports of money laundering in the sector.
In the face of lucrative gold prices, Guyana has been facing enormous challenges of monitoring the terrain. An increase of raids unearthed several cases of illegal mining. Illegal workers, from especially neighbouring Brazil and from Venezuela to a lesser extent have been found.
There have also been reported increases in crimes including murders, accidents and robberies.
According to the officials, on April 26, there will be a national lottery to open several new areas for mining activities.
This will be in six blocks of 100 acres each, Minister Persaud disclosed.
President of Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, Patrick Harding, in expressing condolences and concern over Sunday’s tragic truck accident in the hinterland, warned that carelessness may have played a part. He too noted that the difficult terrain is a major challenge for miners and authorities alike.
The association is now working with GGMC and the Ministry of Home Affairs to regularize Brazilians who are working in the gold fields but who face delays in receiving work permits. More than 300 Brazilians have received work permits so far.
Also at the press conference at the Ministry’s office in the GGMC compound, Brickdam, were Commissioner Rickford Vieira, and Donald Singh, Manager of Land Management.
Recently, scores of miners accused of illegally operating at Marudi Mountains in the Rupununi, Region Nine, were evicted. During an incident, a female miner and her child were allegedly beaten by a policeman drawing widespread anger. The policeman was charged last week.
Regarding the evicted miners, they are likely to face charges as soon as investigations are complete. They will not be barred from participating in the lottery for lands.
Last year, gold mining activities broke records in the absence of the large scale producer, Omai Gold Mines. Gold has now become the biggest foreign currency earner for Guyana.
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