Work permits for foreigners to be processed within 7 days as Govt, GGDMA tackle labour shortage

In light of the current labour shortage affecting the mining sector, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is tasked with conducting a comprehensive assessment of the labour needs within the sector, after which a full assessment will be done to address the issue.
During a recent meeting with the association and the Government, it was decided that following this assessment, advertisements will be placed in local newspapers to attract workers.

However, should the needs remain unmet locally, the Government has committed to engaging an overseas recruitment agency to fill the identified gaps.
In addition, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who chaired the meeting, assured that work permits for foreign workers would be processed within seven days, and each worker would be issued a digital identification card.
Furthermore, the Head of State indicated that the Government is advancing plans to digitise the mining sector to enhance efficiency, transparency, and inter-agency coordination.
Key components of this initiative include a digital platform for the renewal and issuance of all mining licences, a dedicated mobile application for miners to upload production records, digitalisation of the compliance system, and a digital ID and unique mining number.
As such, each miner will be assigned a unique number under the new system. The Digital ID will integrate with banking services and other Government systems, creating a streamlined and secure framework for conducting mining-related business.
Meanwhile, the GGDMA, in a release on Saturday, reiterated its full support for the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Natural Resources in enforcing a “zero-tolerance” policy against illegal mining and unregulated activities.
The Association endorses the comprehensive campaign to sanitise the sector and make 2026 a defining year in eliminating bad actors who damage the reputation of compliant miners.
It emphasises that the sector is evolving and that informal, undocumented gold trading must come to an end. Legitimate miners have nothing to fear, but those operating outside the law must regularise or leave the industry.
The GGDMA clarifies that enforcing mining and gold trading laws does not threaten small miners but is necessary to curb gold smuggling. Gold must only be sold to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or licensed dealers and traders approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). Anyone wishing to trade or barter gold must obtain the proper licence.
The Association also supports the requirement for miners to have local bank accounts, promoting transparency, security, and modern financial practices. Miners are reminded to desist from outdated practices – such as “paying in gold” or using the “blai box”.
The GGDMA maintains that these reforms will strengthen the sector, restore its integrity, and allow legitimate miners to operate free from the stigma created by illegal operators.