Latest update February 12th, 2025 8:40 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

GGDMA, GGMC researching alternatives for mercury

Jun 29, 2013 News

 

 

Finding alternatives for the use of mercury in the recovery of gold is ongoing with Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) teaming up with the regulatory body.
This is according to Patrick Harding, President of GGDMA, who said that, the Association and Officers of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have been visiting mining camps to demonstrate several recovery systems.
He said that Guyana has been exempted from proposed 2013 ban on the sale of Mercury.  “A small country, like Guyana, whose economy is heavily dependent of gold mining, has been allowed to continue the use of mercury.”
However, mercury should only be used in the cleanup process, is used under safety conditions, require proper handling, safety gear, use of retorts; and the substance is not allowed unto the waterways.
He said that Guyana’s mining industry must provide alternatives for the reduction in the use of mercury. Harding requested miners to offer the locations of their camps or locations for testing purposes.
He also asked his fellow miners who are familiar with recovery equipment or any other recovery technology to share their experiences.
“I know that you have been out there in the fields and you are more experienced and knowledgeable than the Mines Officers that GGMC will be sending into the fields,” he added.
He noted that the sluice box is the main recovery system equipment used by the miner.  Over the years, there have been modifications and improvements to the sluice box.
However, the recovery rate of the sluice box is still between 40 percent and 50 percent.  This means that miners are at best only recovering half of the minerals that pass through their sluice boxes.
“An increase in the recovery rate will benefit your operations by making it more effective and contributing to offsetting your overall operating costs…To this end GGDMA is working with GGMC to teach the miners better ways of operating the sluice box system and the introduction of other recovery systems to compliment the use of the sluice box.
Any new recovery system/method must be effective and at an affordable price to the miner, he said.

 

 

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport endorses Mashramani Street Football Championships

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport endorses Mashramani Street...

Feb 12, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) will substantially support the Mashramani Street Football Championships ahead of its Semi-Final and Final set for this Saturday...
Read More
Guyanese boxers shine in IBA World Rankings ahead of Caribbean Championships

Guyanese boxers shine in IBA World Rankings ahead...

Feb 12, 2025

Motie returns for Day/Night affair, as fired-up Harpy Eagles eye 3rd straight win

Motie returns for Day/Night affair, as fired-up...

Feb 12, 2025

Daniel Singh pockets East Bank Pool crown

Daniel Singh pockets East Bank Pool crown

Feb 12, 2025

Khalil, Pollard and Barker reign supreme as BCQS Int’l Masters concludes

Khalil, Pollard and Barker reign supreme as BCQS...

Feb 11, 2025

Cricket West Indies passes historic governance reform at special meeting of shareholders

Cricket West Indies passes historic governance...

Feb 11, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]