A section of the residents at the meeting in Mahdia, Region Eight
Miners and other residents of Mahdia over the weekend met and interacted with the Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai where numerous issues affecting the industry were raised.
According to a Department of Public Information report, the miners used the opportunity to raise their concerns, with land and roads being common themes. The small miners believe they are at a disadvantage when it comes to the use of mining lands. It was Bharrat’s first official visit to the mining town, but he was no stranger to the issues.
A vehicle stuck in the mud at Tiger Creek blocking traffic to the bridge (DPI photo)
“I know as small miners you are faced with this problem that you are being used as prospectors, meaning that the big miners put you on the land, and when you find something, they come and put you off the land. I know that’s one of the biggest issues that we have, but you need to understand our position in a situation like that too; that was a private arrangement between you and the landowner, so when you make a contract between someone, you need to make a proper contract,” Bharrat is quoted as saying. He urged the miners to make formal agreements because the matter is difficult to resolve when this is not done even if they approach the Ministry for assistance.
Bharrat added that a lottery is being considered to make more lands available later this year or early 2022. This would give small miners a chance to acquire lands. The miners can still apply to the GGMC or the Closed Area Committee for land in the meantime. The Minister also told the gathering that there are efforts to ensure there are proper roads in the hinterland regions.
“Our objective over the next two to three years is to ensure that we open up new areas. As a matter of fact, what we are discussing right now is for GGMC to have a road works unit, meaning we have truck and bulldozer and excavator and roller and all this equipment, so that we can open up new areas because it is expensive to open new areas, I can tell you that.”
The Natural Resources Minister noted that there has been a renewed interest in mining in recent months and added that he would continue to make representation for incentives to develop the sector.
He said mining benefits close to 200,000 directly and indirectly, and since taking office, the Government has placed a lot of emphasis on the mining sector, including removing VAT from mining equipment. “Mining has been driving our country’s economy over the last couple of years; mining is driving our economy right now. That is why I want to commend you for the effort that you are making. Yes, we have oil and gas, and there is so much talk and so much emphasis on oil and gas, but I want to assure you, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, that we will not neglect the mining sector or the logging sector or agriculture or any other of the traditional and non-traditional sectors at the expense of oil and gas.”
The miners were also urged to respect the environment when engaged in mining activities.
The Minister noted the concerns raised and is optimistic that the necessary steps will be taken to resolve them. Consideration will also be given to the possibility of decentralising some of GGMC’s services to the town.
While in the mining town, the Ministers also visited the bridge at Tiger Creek, a major area of concern for those who reside and work in that part of the country. The team also conducted a community walkabout, interacting with residents while listening to their problems.
Head of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Newell Dennison and Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission Tasreef Khan were also on the visit.
