Latest update April 3rd, 2026 12:35 AM
EPA approves Canadian firm 5.4M ounces gold project
An aerial view of the Oko West project
Kaieteur News – Canadian gold miner, G Mining Ventures (GMIN) on Tuesday announced that it has received the Environmental Permit from Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the 5.4 million ounces Oko West Gold Project.
The five-year permit is valid through July 2030. It authorises the construction and operation of Oko West, which is expected to create an average of 1,270 direct permanent jobs during its lifetime.
GMIN is the 100% owner of the Oko West gold project, which falls under its main prospecting licence (PL) covering 44 square kilometers (10,890 acres), containing an estimated 5.4 million ounces of gold. The company had revealed that it expanded its land holdings in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to 71 square kilometers. The Feasibility Study for Oko West outlines a long-life, low cost, and high-margin operation. The company had said that the Oko West project is targeting an average annual production of 350,000 ounces of gold over a 12.3-year mine life.
GMIN’s President & Chief Executive Officer Louis-Pierre Gignac said, “The receipt of the Environmental Permit is a pivotal milestone that de-risks Oko West and clears the path toward a construction decision later this year.”
He added, “This achievement reflects constructive engagement with the EPA, the Government of Guyana, and the communities of Region 7, and demonstrates Oko West can progress responsibly—safeguarding the environment, generating employment, and delivering sustainable economic benefits. With this approval, a favorable gold price outlook, and cash flow from TZ, GMIN is well-positioned to advance the Project in alignment with the highest environmental and social standards, creating lasting value for all stakeholders.”
GMIN’s President & Chief Executive Officer Louis-Pierre Gignac
Gignac had disclosed that the Oko West project is positioned to become the next major phase of growth for the company. He said with gold production at Oko West commencing by 2027, Oko West will propel GMIN’s annual gold production beyond the 500,000 ounces mark.
Notably, this approval follows GMIN’s submission of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in November 2024. GMIN said that it also marks the culmination of a transparent, multi-stakeholder review process led by the EPA, which began with the establishment of Terms of Reference in early 2023 and was supported by nearly two years of baseline environmental and social studies.
In March 2025, GMIN began early works at Oko West project which included the development of a wharf on the Cuyuni River, access roads, and construction of the permanent camp.
The company disclosed that approximately $190 million has already been committed or negotiated for long-lead items such as mobile and marine equipment, grinding mills, the primary crusher, and a power plant. Also, initial equipment deliveries are expected in the second half of 2025, and this will enable GMIN to begin self-performing earthworks on site. GMIN anticipates making a formal construction decision later this year.
Additionally, the Canadian firm said that the receipt of the Environmental Permit underscores the strong and ongoing partnership between the company and the Government of Guyana. The company lauded the government’s transparent regulatory environment and timely decision-making, which it credits for the Oko West achieving milestones.
“Guyana continues to be recognised as an attractive destination for mining investment, as reflected in the Fraser Institute’s recent Annual Survey of Mining Companies, 2024, which ranks the country as a top 10 mining jurisdiction globally, out of 82 jurisdictions evaluated,” GMIN stated.
In addition to the EPA, GMIN extended its appreciation to other regulatory bodies including the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Ministry of Natural Resources, and all other agencies overseeing the mining sector. GMIN said that the bodies’ professionalism and collaborative spirit help advance the project responsibly and on schedule.
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