GGMC shuns statutory responsibility for best interest of local miners

Feb 16, 2018 News

Was Smartt outsmarted? That is what the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) was asked to look into since 2016. Almost two years later, the Commission is still to give Pauline Smartt a positive response.
Australian company, Troy Resources, acquired rights to work claims listed in the name of Leslie Smartt, Pauline’s husband. Mr. Smartt accepted payment for the claims.
However, Mr. Smartt died in 2013, leaving Mrs. Smartt as the legal heir.
In 2016, GGMC invited Mrs. Smartt to officially transfer the claims, a process that has to be approved by Commission. Smartt was advised to have the Commission review the agreement to ensure that it was “fair and just” in accordance with the Mining Act of Guyana.
The provision of the Mining Act introduced to Mrs. Smartt states, “Where any area which is subject to a prospecting permit, claim licence, mining permit, or special mining permit, in respect of gold is contiguous to, or is surrounded by, any parcel which is subject to a licence with respect to gold, the licensee may with the permission of the Commission, buy the rights of the person holding the prospecting permit, claim licence, mining permit or special mining permit on such terms as may be agreed to between the purchaser and the seller.
“The Commission shall not give the approval referred to in subsection (1) unless it is satisfied that the terms of purchase agreed to by the licensee and the holder of the prospecting permit, claim license, mining permit or special mining permit are fair and just so far as the latter is concerned.
When Mrs. Smartt became aware of that provision, she sent a letter to GGMC in the first quarter of 2016 expressing a desire for the Commission to review the agreement before the transfer occurred.
The Commission facilitated a meeting in the third quarter with Mrs. Smart, her consultant, and a representative of Troy Resources. At that meeting, Troy Resources’ representative asked whether the meeting was called to facilitate a request from Mrs. Smartt to have the contract reviewed.
It was made clear that all Smartt wanted, at the time, was for GGMC to carry out its statutory duty.
The meeting was adjourned without GGMC giving any commitment about when it will review the agreement.
Kaieteur News understands that when subsequent queries were made, GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison, said that he was seeking legal advice.
GMMC has so far neglected to contact Mrs. Smart in relation to the way forward.
Meanwhile, Troy Resources continues to work the claims that have proven to be the largest and most productive.
The total reserves in the property that Troy Resources acquired from the Smartts include 253,728 ounces of gold that the company will mine underground and 287,121 ounces of gold that the company will mine by open pit.

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