Stop overloading trucks – GGDMA to truck operators, trucking services
…calls for weight restrictions for trucks, vehicles to be enforced
The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has called on truck operators and trucking services to stop overloading their trucks, which causes major damage to roadways leading to mining communities.
This call comes days after a section of the Mabura trail, which leads to Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) became inaccessible after it collapsed.
On Tuesday, the GGDMA said that gold and diamond mining continue to be one of the main economic drivers of development in Guyana and safe, reliable and efficient passenger and cargo services are critical to the success of mining operations.
An overloaded heavy-duty truck caused the collapse of a bridge at Pirara, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) in 2021
They called on service providers to make a concerted effort to further improve their overall service, adding that truck operators and trucking services must stop overloading their trucks especially since it is the rainy season.
Last week a section of the Mabura trail, which leads to Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) collapsed
“When the roads become deplorable there is more down time and hence increased the operation cost to miners and other hinterland road users, who now have to pay double to have their fuel and other supplies delivered to their camps. Additionally, many of our miners’ trucks and other equipment are being severely damaged due to these deplorable roads. This once again puts additional financial pressure on the miner as unnecessary maintenance cost,” the GGDMA said.
The GGDMA has also called on the Government to enforce the established Road Users’ Agreement which stipulates and monitors the weight restrictions for trucks/vehicles transporting fuel and other supplies at key points such as Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The mining body noted that some trucking services are damaging the roads, due to the excessive weights as stipulated in the Road Users’ Agreement, in the interior that have to be used by miners. “We also call on the Government to enforce the Road Users’ Agreement which is fully supported by the GGDMA to encourage a culture of responsible use of interior roads.”
