Promoting safety high on GGMC’s agenda

Aug 23, 2016 News

…as Mining Week Festivities kick-off
Acting Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Newell Dennison on Sunday said that the GGMC will be seeking to advocate and enforce the utilization of safer mining practices.
Dennison was at the time making his address at the Dinner and Award Ceremony organised by GGMC and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to commence Mining Week 2016.
According to Dennison, several changes needed to be made in the mining sector under the umbrella of safety. He highlighted that safer practices to extract minerals is a major concern. According to the Acting Commissioner miners need to utilize more modern and appropriate technology in this regard.
He also addressed the importance of safer practices on the physical environment
Additionally, Dennison spoke about safety at mining operations. He said that there is need for miners to develop a culture whereby they appreciate the need to implement safer on-site measures. He said that there needs to be an attitudinal change in the value for life. As such, persons need to stop disrespecting the laws, authority and policy which govern the sector.
To achieve these changes, Dennison said that it calls for serious collaborations, commitments and partnerships, first with each other as Guyanese citizens and secondly with institutions like the GGMC who are present to serve, support and guide, and where necessary, employ the appropriate measure of the law.
Dennison explained that there is sometimes an unwillingness of some miners to claim mined out areas since the cost attached is most times too hefty to bear. He said that this is one of the issues which the GGMC will have to address.
Dennison stressed that educational awareness is also high on the entity’s agenda; however, despite fulfilling this mandate, the Commission will still function as an enforcement body.
This year’s mining week is under the theme “Extracting Minerals; Underscoring Safety; Protecting the Environment.”
Also addressing the gathering was Andron Alphonso who spoke on behalf of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA). He said that the impending ban on mercury may have adverse effects on an industry which isn’t prepared for it.
However, he said that if better recovery techniques are utilized the extraction rates will increase significantly. He stressed that for the sector to reap success there needs to be greater collaboration with all relevant bodies.
At the high profile event, several prizes were awarded to private businesses and individuals involved in the sector as well as media operatives who would report extensively on mining.
Receiving the top Gold Producer award was Adamantium Holdings (13,399 oz); Top Gold Dealer went to Mohamed’s Enterprise; on the basis of declarations of Diamonds, the top award went to La Goin Luiz Sequiera.
Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc. received the top award for the Bauxite Industry for having an overall high achievement of their targets during 2015. The Top Quarry award went to Toolsie Persaud Limited. The Top sand producer award went to Lybsur Sand and Quarry.
The award for having environmental ethics went to Kevin Jeffrey Mining Operations. Guyana Goldfields Incorporated was awarded for its Safety practices and Mr. Winslow Higgins for innovation.
In the media world, the reporting awards went to Jarryl Bryan of Kaieteur News, Clifford Stanley of Guyana Chronicle and Gaulbert Sutherland of Stabroek News.

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