Miners must follow regulations or risk seizure – GGMC warns

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has reiterated its commitment to enforcing mining regulations and ensuring compliance within the sector, according to a statement issued by Commissioner Newell Dennison in an advertisement in today’s newspaper.

The GGMC emphasised that all mining operations across Guyana, including those on Amerindian Titled Lands, are required to adhere to the country’s mining legislation, associated laws and policies. The Commission highlighted that this includes the proper accounting for gold production, environmental management, and the employment of legally documented personnel. To support compliance, the GGMC stated that it is prepared to provide guidance to communities and villages, including those on Amerindian Titled Lands, in obtaining the necessary permits and documentation for legitimate mining activities. This includes ensuring that registered equipment is used and that proper records are maintained for gold produced and sold. The Commission also stressed that all gold recovered from mining must be sold to legitimate purchasers, including the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), licensed gold dealers and licensed traders. Gold sold outside of these channels is considered illegal and may be subject to seizure, charges and asset forfeiture. Dennison noted that despite favourable gold prices and intensified mining activity across the country, declarations of gold production remain lower than expected. He also highlighted ongoing concerns regarding environmental damage caused by some mining operations, despite the GGMC’s efforts to educate and enforce regulations. In line with directives from President Dr Irfaan Ali, the GGMC said it will strengthen collaboration with other state agencies to address illegal mining activities and ensure that mineral resources contribute appropriately to the state and the people of Guyana. The Commission called on all operators in the mining sector to act responsibly or face the full force of the law. Noting that one gold smuggler alone robbed the country of some $190 billion, President Dr Irfaan Ali in November sounded a warning to others who are engaged in such illegal practices in the sector. “Those who are still not complying with the declaration, we are going to come after you hard and strong. We will find you, and you will lose your business,” the President said. “You have a responsibility to declare your gold, and you have a responsibility to do so not by choice, but by law,” he had said.
In an apparent reference to Guyanese businessmen Azruddin and Nazar Mohameds’ family, who have been indicted by a United States (US) grand jury on charges of gold smuggling, wire fraud and money laundering, President Ali highlighted how such illegal activities impact the country. “Imagine if that money that was stolen through smuggling was available for our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), was available to support our cash grant programme. Imagine the additional difference it would have made,” he expressed.
In this regard, the President said his Government plans to strengthen institutions to ensure such crimes are eliminated. “Imagine, from one gold smuggler alone, this economy lost more than $190 billion. One gold smuggler alone. We must ensure our system does not produce those kinds of people any more. Our system must be locked in, must be protected and must be designed to ensure those leakages are removed,” he had declared.