Latest update April 16th, 2026 12:40 AM
Labour officials inspect Aurora gold mining operations
Minister Broomes (r) interacting with a staff member.
Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, recently visited the Guyana Goldfields operations located in Region Seven.
The Canadian-owned firm recently poured its first gold bar at Aurora on its way to become the country’s only large scale gold mine in operation.
Minister Broomes was accompanied by Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle, and a team of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Officers.
General Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union, Lincoln Lewis, also made the visit.
During their visit the team was able to interact with workers and conduct inspections in keeping with the mandate of the Ministry of Social Protection and the Department of Labour.
Speaking with the Government Information Agency (GINA), after interacting with the workers and conducting the inspections, Minister Broomes indicated that issues such as salary, general living conditions and vacation time were raised.
The Minister explained that the inspection of a mining camp is new to the labour officers since they were never exposed to that type of environment.
She further explained that under the new administration, the officers will be exposed to training, where they will be able to promptly identify areas which need to be improved in mining camps.
Since assuming office, the minister has visited a number of workplaces.
She said that the Ministry will compile a report based on all the visits and present it to Cabinet. While on the visit, Minister Broomes was also appointed an Honorary Member of the Women Miners Group.
Meanwhile, the Chief Labour Officer explained that under the Labour Occupational Health and Safety and the Labour Act, it is stated clearly that labour officers have a right to visit any business or its premises at any time. He said that the Ministry has been holding consultations to educate employers and workers, on the various pieces of legislation.
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