Surveillance of entities trading minerals among measures aimed at curbing illegal mining, smuggling

– GGDMA welcomes new measures

In light of recent calls by several organisations including the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) to curb illegal mining, the government stated in addition to the already existing measures, surveillance of entities that are trading in vulnerable minerals will be reinforced.
This is one of several measures that were identified following a meeting with stakeholders over the weekend aimed at improving the mining sector as well as curbing illegal mining and smuggling.
In a release issued by the GGDMA on Sunday, it stated that the Government has stated that in addition to already existing measures to fight the scourge, there will be ramped-up efforts to deal with the issues.
Some of the other measures include identifying and regularising specific areas that will be designated landings in the interior; additional mechanisms to sufficiently address the legitimacy of where persons can conduct business in support of the mining sector in the mining community; address more aggressively the movement of itinerant individuals in the interior, including shops and miners and engaged in additional strategic operations in targeting cluster/area that have been reported on raiding.
On this note, the GGDMA fully supports these measures and promised to continue engaging the Government to address the rogue elements that sully the operations of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
“Since taking office, the present administration has, much to the benefit of the industry, reinstated all of the incentives that were previously removed and have worked closely with stakeholders in the industry to create even more incentives in support of the industry and also to boost declaration,” the GGDMA added.
Further, it applauded the minister for constantly engaging operators throughout the country and has worked directly with stakeholders to resolve issues.
“The GGDMA therefore reminds miners that it is part of their responsibility to ensure fair and true declarations, increase production, and work with the government to reduce illegal operations in the sector.”
⁠Meanwhile, the GGDMA reiterated its support for the Government of Guyana and the Natural Resources Ministry in taking the necessary actions to increase production, declarations, and curbing smuggling.
Only recently, the GGDMA argued that illegal mining is taking place on closed area lands in Mining Districts Three, Four, and Five. The organisation stated that as of 2020, there were approximately more than 6 million acres of closed area mining lands, and many miners had made repeated appeals to the GGMC about illegal activities, but very little gets done.
In these regards, the GGDMA is calling on the Government to demonstrate that it is serious about finally addressing the precursors to smuggling and other activities that currently taint Guyana’s gold and would make it undesirable internationally.
“For the future survival of the mining industry, the GGDMA continues to stand with the Government of Guyana to tackle these problems. This is not the first time the GGDMA has made this appeal,” the GGDMA has said. “We remain ready to support practical solutions to this rising threat.”