GGDMA donates 20 dredge engines to help small miners in Bartica restart operations

In a major show of its commitment to supporting the mining community, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has donated 20 dredge engines to help small miners in the Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) area to get back into production. According to the Association, this assistance was much needed since these miners were facing challenges in resuming their operations.

This initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources during an official visit by subject Minister, Vickram Bharrat, to Bartica on Saturday. Supporting the sustainable development and resilience of the mining sector remains at the heart of the GGDMA’s mission, the association noted. It also recognises the vital role that small miners play in the industry and expresses commitment to providing the support needed to help them recover and thrive.
“It is very heartening when a small miner can move up the scale as a natural evolution,” stated GGDMA Vice President (VP), Dabria Marcus. “We understand the difficulties that small miners face, and we will continue to support them in any way we can.”
The GGDMA also underscored the importance of its regular Open Days, which remain a cornerstone of its outreach efforts. These sessions provide all miners with the opportunity to engage directly with the Association, voice their concerns, seek guidance, and access support. Issues raised during these engagements are carefully reviewed, and where appropriate, the Association implements targeted interventions such as this donation.
The GGDMA remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen Guyana’s mining sector by empowering its members—especially small and medium-scale miners—and ensuring they have the tools, resources, and opportunities needed to succeed.
The Association was represented in Bartica by a team comprising of VP Marcus; immediate Past President, Andron Alphonso; Executive Member, Vishanti Balgobin; Executive Member, Terry Singh, and the GGDMA Administrator, Avalon Jagnandan.
Meanwhile, the GGDMA also took the opportunity to encourage all miners to only sell their gold to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or to authorised gold buyers.
Only in April, the Natural Resources Ministry had issued a stern warning to miners on selling gold to unlicensed traders.
“The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and its agencies – specifically the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) – reminds the public that only individuals or entities holding a valid gold dealer’s licence issued by the Guyana Gold Board, or a valid trader’s licence issued by the GGMC, are legally permitted to purchase gold in Guyana,” a notice issued by the GGMC on April 15 stated.
It went onto warn too that an application for a new licence or the renewal of an existing licence does not grant any legal authority to conduct gold trading activities. According to the Ministry, all pending applications for trading licences in gold and precious stones must await the formal and official issuance of their licence prior to engaging in any such transactions.
Moreover, the Ministry had cautioned too that anyone caught contravening this, or buying gold without a valid licence, will be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Guyana.