Sweeping changes expected at GGMC

Jul 03, 2018 News

‘Not about personnel, but policies’ – Minister Trotman

Government is moving ahead with plans for the restructuring of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) which has regulatory power over the extractive sector.
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman told Kaieteur News that his Ministry is implementing a decision made by Cabinet last year to restructure GGMC.
Government is actively soliciting experts to provide advice on the way forward.
According to Trotman, the selected bidder will examine the functionality of the GGMC in view of its evolving role, particularly in the area of the green agenda, complaints about mining, and because of the emerging petroleum sector.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

“We believe that it needs to be re-oriented. We believe that it needs to be modernised. We believe that it needs to go back to some of its core functions of the geological mapping of the country, and not be functioning only as a regulatory agency of gold mining in particular, but looking at other rare earth minerals,” Trotman noted.
GGMC was the lead agency in negotiations and contracts with oil and gas explorers in Guyana. The agency was largely responsible for the deal inked with U.S oil giant, ExxonMobil, which will start producing commercial quantities of oil off Guyana’s coast in 2020.
The ExxonMobil contract along with others signed with other oil companies, have been heavily criticised with experts pointing to the need of expertise during the negotiations which might have netted Guyana more revenue from its natural resource.
Trotman stated that the review of the operations is a much needed one that examines GGMC’s relevance, what is working and what is not working, and how it could be made into a truly 21st century organisation.
When asked about staff changes to the structure, the Minister said he could not preempt the outcome of the review.
“This is why we have called for proposals to advise us. This is not about personnel; it’s about the vision for the entity in the future. I believe once we get the vision then the second step would be the personalities or the personnel to fulfill that vision. It has to do with the role of the Minister, the role of the board, the role of the management and average worker,” Trotman explained.
Shortly before the 2015 General Elections, GGMC announced a revamp of its systems in the mining sector following numerous complaints, particularly as it relates to mining claims which were secured by Chinese firm, Bai Shan Lin.

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