Small scale miners are at a disadvantage

Nov 04, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
As our government boasts of 600,000 ounces gold declaration and how the mining industry is doing well and holding our economy together, there are some very disturbing signals and signs as regards to the mining industry. I will enumerate them.
1. Since the government took office, the VAT free excavators are no longer available to small and medium scale miners. The VAT that now has to be paid varies between five million dollars and six million, five hundred thousand dollars, depending on which brand you purchase. Did anyone check to see how much of the 600,000 ounces is being produced with the support of heavy equipment? No explanation has been put forward for this significant removal of support to small and medium scale miners.
2. Many of us are paying for lands that we cannot mine because these lands fall within Amerindian titled lands or projected extensions of Amerindian lands. We have been told to give up our blocks and seek alternatives through the Closed Area Committee of the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission. However, many of us have been waiting for years for our applications to be processed. This treatment of miners is very disrespectful and unfair.
3. Many of our interior air strips and roads that support our industry need repairs and upgrading whilst billions are collected in royalties and taxes.
4. As the government promotes the green economy and the oil industry, we have to wonder whether we are being used until such time that our gold production is no longer needed to stabilize our economy.
In closing Mr. Editor, the point is that the gold industry is the flag bearer of our economy and may be able to do even better if only the support and help required is provided.
Small Miner

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