Minister Broomes: I have given up all mining interests to my children

May 15, 2016 News

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, has assured that she is not in control of any mining interests.

The Minister was over the weekend responding to questions over her linkage

Ministers Simona Broomes and Raphael Trotman, earlier this year.

to a mining dredge.
It would be conflict of interest for the Minister to be in control or participate in mining activities that benefit her financially or otherwise, as the Ministry is charged with overseeing the extractive sector, of which gold mining is part.
According to leaked documents of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), permission was granted to one Simona Broomes of Bartica to operate SD # 1967 on Mining Permit H43/MP/000.
The permission was for period March 3, 2016 to March 3, 2017.
According to the documents, the dredge would be operated on a concession owned by one E. Hopkinson, in the Puruni River, Region Seven.
Yesterday, Minister Broomes made it clear that she had made moves to relinquish all her mining interests after she was appointed to the Ministry. As a matter of fact, her daughter is also named Simona.
“I can tell you that the mining interest, including the land dredge, which I have owned for some time, before I became a Minister, have been transferred to my children. They are controlling it. I have documents which I have written to the GGMC to confirm the request for transfer.”
Contacted yesterday, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, disclosed that the matter was brought to his attention some time ago and he immediately sought a meeting with Broomes.
“I was satisfied after speaking with her that all rights and interests have been transferred.”
Prior to becoming a Minister, Broomes was a prominent mining activist, helping to establish the Guyana Women Miners Organisation. She has been awarded by the US Government for her work to halt trafficked persons.
Questioned about her involvement in Australian-owned mining company, Pharsalus Gold Inc, the Minister disclosed that indeed she had a long-standing agreement with it.
The company is moving to develop large scale mining operations in Issano, Region Seven. Under the agreement she has with the company when they are ready to mine, they will have the option of buying her out or offering a deal. The interest in that company has also been transferred to her children, Broomes said yesterday.
“So I have no mining interests. I want it to be made clear that I have relinquished all the interests.”
The issue of Broomes being a miner and Minister charged with overseeing the gold sector had reared its head earlier this year after she was appointed.
However, Minister Trotman, during a joint press conference with Broomes, said that there is no conflict of interest. He pointed out that there are other Government officials and even ex-Ministers who own vast properties and businesses.
In the event that transactions regarding Pharsalus come up, Trotman said he will handle it, ensuring Broomes is insulated and “kept at arm’s length”.
He also stated that Broomes would lend a wealth of knowledge to the natural resources sector, particularly mining.
Among other things, Broomes is charged with overseeing aspects of the occupational health, safety and protection of the rights of mining workers and practitioners within the mining and forestry sectors.
She is also charged with monitoring compliance by mining workers and practitioners, of the laws and regulations within the mining and forestry sectors, among other things.

2 thoughts on “Minister Broomes: I have given up all mining interests to my children”

Ameri May 15, 2016 at 10:09 am

All of these wonderful ministers have a plaster for every sore. What a joke
george wiltshire May 15, 2016 at 4:45 pm

This was this woman’s livelihood before she became a minister. The onus is on the authority to put in place the necessary mechanisms to ensure she does not benefit supernaturally,