GGDMA calls for technical assistance for miners

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is urging Government to implement measures to ensure that small and medium-scale miners can grow and expand the sector. This call was relayed on Thursday when the body announced that medium and large-scale gold miners will be able to achieve gold production of over 1,000,000 ounces annually from 2020 if Government provides the requested assistance.
“We believe that small and medium-scale miners will continue to improve especially as the large companies set the pace in exploration, excavation, processing and environmental management. As we affirm this partnership we call on the Government to provide increased technical assistance, education and training, and financial inputs to move the small and medium-scale gold miners forward at a faster pace,” the association disclosed.
GGDMA noted that it continues to encourage both local and foreign investment in the gold and diamond mining sector of Guyana. It congratulated all those “who mobilised investment dollars into mining in Guyana as they are convinced that the investment climate though not perfect is acceptable”.
“We call on small, medium and large-scale mining operators to be faithful to the terms of their agreements. GGDMA thanks Troy Resources and Guyana Goldfields/Aurora Gold Mines for their sterling efforts and we declare our continued support as they proceed with expansion plans,” it said.
The GGDMA said too that it will continue to advocate for the fair and equitable treatment of all investors in the mining industry, whether foreign or local; small medium or large. It encouraged companies to continue adhering to occupational health and safety regulations, noting that Troy and Guyana Gold Fields Inc/Aurora Gold Mines on their level of gold production which was recorded at a recovery rate above 90 per cent.
“Even though the small and medium-scale miners produced more gold in aggregate than these two large mining companies, it was at a mere 30-40 per cent recovery rate,” GGDMA added.
On Thursday, gold was trading at US$1256.90 per ounce of raw gold. Finance Minister Winston Jordan in January said that Guyana recorded some 653,754 ounces of gold in 2017, which indicated that gold declarations fell short of the projected of 720,000 ounces.
The Guyana Gold Board blamed poor roads and inclement weather for the fall in gold declaration.