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Pres. Ali aims for more efficient, accountable mining sector
– To engage overseas recruitment agency if local labour shortfall persists
– To digitise sector
(Kaieteur News) – As the Government of Guyana continues to enforce its “zero tolerance” policy against illegal mining and unregulated activities, President Irfaan Ali has outlined his vision for a more efficient and accountable mining sector.
On Monday, the President and top government officials met with the president of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) Ronaldo Alphonso and other executives, to discuss the future of the sector.
During the meeting, President Ali reaffirmed government’s support for miners, but stressed that compliance is essential for the sector’s sustainability and development. He emphasised the importance of compliance, noting concerns about miners who fail to meet royalty and tax obligations.
President Irfaan Ali, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and other government officials at the meeting
Recognising ongoing labour shortages, Government committed to addressing workforce gaps in collaboration with the GGDMA. The association has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive assessment of labour needs. Local recruitment efforts will follow, with advertisements placed in newspapers to attract workers.
Should local labour needs remain unmet, government will engage an overseas recruitment agency. President Ali assured that work permits for foreign workers would be processed within seven days and that each worker would be issued a digital identification card.
President Ali also informed the association of plans to digitise the mining sector to improve efficiency, transparency, and inter-agency coordination. Key initiatives include a digital platform for the renewal and issuance of mining licenses, a mobile app for miners to upload production records, and the digitalisation of compliance systems. Each miner will receive a unique ID, integrated with banking services and other government platforms, creating a secure framework for mining operations.
GGDMA expressed full support for the zero-tolerance policy and endorsed the government’s campaign to clean up the sector, describing 2026 as a defining year for eliminating bad actors who harm the reputation of compliant miners.
The association emphasised that informal and undocumented gold trading must end. It further clarified that that enforcing mining and gold trading laws does not threaten small miners but is necessary to curb gold smuggling.
GGDMA reminded that gold must only be sold to the Guyana Gold Board or licensed dealers and traders approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and anyone wishing to trade or barter gold must obtain the proper licence.
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