GGMC steps up push for miners to declare gold

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is urging miners to declare their gold through authorised channels as the authorities continue efforts to bring declaration services closer to mining communities.
Policy Planning and Coordination Officer at the GGMC, Omkar Lochan, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the Commission has been expanding access to declaration services, including through additional offices in areas with significant mining and gold declaration activities.
According to Lochan, the authorities continue to identify communities where mining activity is increasing and target those areas for expanded services.
Where establishing a permanent office is not feasible, arrangements are being made for GGMC officials to travel to mining communities on designated days to facilitate gold declarations.

Lochan also highlighted the role of licensed gold dealers and traders operating in the various mining districts in providing miners with access to legitimate channels for selling and declaring their gold.
“We have in excess of over 30 licensed traders, all in the different mining districts,” he said.
The expanded services are intended to make it easier for miners to declare and sell their gold through authorised channels, while supporting Guyana’s gold declaration and foreign exchange earnings.
Gold mining remains an important contributor to Guyana’s economy and a significant source of foreign exchange. Lochan therefore encouraged miners who may be reluctant to declare their gold to comply with the law, noting that the necessary services are increasingly accessible.
“I would urge them to come in. We are making it very easy to do that now,” he said, while warning that persons who breach the law will face the consequences.
Lochan also reaffirmed the GGMC’s commitment to supporting small and medium-scale miners, describing them as the backbone of the mining industry.
He said the commission will continue making mining lands available through lotteries, encouraging miners to remain engaged with opportunities being created within the sector.

Pork-knockers Day
The call for greater use of authorised gold declaration channels comes as the country observes Mining Week, which includes activities aimed at recognising the contribution of small-scale miners.
The Natural Resources Ministry, in a social media post on Saturday, said Pork-knockers Day activities were held across several mining communities on Saturday, with residents, miners and officials from the Ministry and GGMC participating.
The annual event is held during Mining Week to honour small miners and includes activities such as Tacuba Crossing, gold panning, and football.
Activities were held in Matthews Ridge in Region One; Bartica, Puruni, Imbaimadai, Issano, and Tamakay in Region Seven; Mahdia in Region Eight; and Aishalton in Region Nine.
The Ministry said the activities attracted participation from communities across the country.