Small-scale miners to get support, strengthened system to help livelihood – Pres Ali

Small scale miners met with President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday to discuss issues affecting the industry.
During the meeting, the miners related their issues to the President and committed to working along with him and the Natural Resources Ministry to find solutions.
At the meeting which was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, President Ali made a commitment to address issues faced by small-scale miners.
The President reassured the miners that his Government will implement ways to support and strengthen the system to help small-scale miners. He also tasked the Ministry to consult with the medium-scale miners on their issues.
The Head of State proposed that tangible solutions would be brought to the table when a follow-up meeting is held in a month.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and technical staff from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) were also at the meeting.
In June, after Government announced $2 billion in relief for the mining community, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) commended the move and lauded the Administration for keeping its campaign promises.
During a consultation with GGDMA miners and other stakeholders in the mining sector in May, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had outlined a slew of incentives that he said would benefit operators.
Following those consultations, the GGDMA had welcomed the reduction of the Final Tax on income from gold produced, declared, and sold. Currently, the tax is 3.5 per cent, but it will now be reduced to 2.5 per cent.
The GGDMA had said another major development was the abolition of the burdensome 10 per cent Tributors Tax, which miners were subjected to for many years.
In totality, the GGDMA had said these measures would result in approximately $1.9 billion returning to the industry and this revenue would be utilised to reduce the burden of added operational costs and also to improve varying aspects of miners’ operations.
Moreover, it pointed out that the removal of the 14 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on lubricating oils have had an immediate positive impact not just on the mining sector but all other sectors, such as construction and agriculture, where heavy equipment was essential.
Additionally, the Association had also said it was pleased with the Government’s announcement of the $2.4 billion to be spent upgrading roads in mining areas.
At the consultations with VP Jagdeo, the GGDMA had raised several issues, including the need for reform at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and closer collaboration between the Association and the Natural Resources Ministry.
Meanwhile, at the consultation, the Vice President had reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting small miners from being bullied by larger concession holders. As a result, he had promised to take the matters affecting the sector before Cabinet, once those matters were captured in report form in an effort to have them resolved.