As measures continue to be put in place by Government to reduce the use of mercury in the mining industry, steps are being taken to ensure more stringent standards are in place regarding the importation of mercury.
Technical Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Marisica Charles
The necessary changes are set to come on stream as of August 1, this year.
Mercury is also known as quicksilver and most of its compounds are extremely toxic. Inhalation of its vapour will result in harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys and may be fatal, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Technical Officer at the Natural Resources Ministry, Marisica Charles explained that the approach to be adopted locally is for the issuance of an importation license to be sanctioned by several agencies.
“There is an MoU currently in a draft stage between the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Pesticide Toxic Chemical Control Board and the Ministry of Natural Resources for a collaborative approach instead of just one or two organisations.”
According to Charles, the MoU will build on an already existing partnership.
“It will help us to work closer together, more specifically as it deals with the importation of mercury.”
On Monday, the National Working Group met to discuss where they were, regarding the Minamata Convention.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.
In February, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had revealed that even as Government tries to mitigate the harmful effects of mercury on the environment, some villages are, in fact, complicit in the use of mercury and the destruction it causes.
Trotman made this revelation during the Minamata Convention – a stakeholder session set up to develop strategies for eradicating mercury use. According to the Minister, villagers and Toshaos in some mercury-scarred villages are facilitating the miners responsible.
Trotman also spoke of a model mercury-free operation; a project that could be taken on through the provision of mining blocks. He noted that a number of blocks could be distributed to the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) for this purpose.
