Two mining companies have been granted large-scale licences to mine gold in Regions Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazuruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and are looking to begin operations in the coming year.
Ontario Incorporated, part of a Canadian mining group, and Romanex Guyana Limited have been given approval to commence large-scale gold mining operations at Peter’s Mine on the Puruni River in Region Seven and at the Marudi Mountain area in Region Nine respectively. Both companies had been conducting explorations in the areas they intend to mine and are looking to produce between 50,000 to 100,000 ounces of gold per year, Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commis-sion (GGMC), William Woolford told Stabroek News.
He said that both of the companies are looking to get operations on stream in the new year. Woolford said that while the companies had been granted large-scale licences, their operations would be on the smaller end of large operations. To illustrate, Omai was operating on the larger end of large scale operations.
Woolford said the companies had sent applications to the GGMC; the process of approval has been completed and the companies are finalising the arrangements to collect the licences.
He said several other applications were pending, but in the light of the global financial crisis, it could not be said for certain whether the other companies will go ahead.
Ontario Inc was granted a prospecting licence in 1996 to a property encompassing the former Peters’ Mine on the Puruni River. The concession occupies an area of approximately 3,400 hectares.
The conditions of the Prospecting Licence allowed for the application of a Mining Licence at any time during its tenure and the firm took that option. Ontario Inc is part of Guyana Goldfields Incorporated.
Romanex obtained its licence through Vannessa Ventures Limited, which has since changed its name to Infinito Gold Limited. For several years, both companies had been conducting studies in the areas, they intend to mine.
Why is Guyana still allowing foreign gold companies to operate in it land after Omai experinece (polluted the Essequibo River, and destroyed it. Isn’t there enough local dredge owners?
What’s the point trying to show the world that you are concern about global warming?
Because Guyanese are very FOREIGN MINDED
because the overseas companies have the finance required, expertise and else to exploit what is below the alluvials that the small scale operations incl. dredge operators mine. The level of employment that these companies provide during their initial exploration phases and eventual mining phase is way more than a small scale dredge operation or other can provide.
U need to understand the mining industry first and look at this development from a holistic perspective. Since Omai alot has changed with the way mining companies are allowed to operate in Guyana. Being serious about global warming is one thing, but u don’t dont close the door without cracking the other door first…
Government need to finance to finance the other developmental works….alot said…
well said Macushi Piyasang you said it all
We have not learned our lesson from OMAI after they exploit our mines & damage our rivers.
It is time people protest against these multinational companies coming into our country to rape our gold mines.
Third world countries like Guyana will continue to be exploited by these big companies,it’s time our opposition parties get involved & do something before it is too late.
What Opposition? That is why the present Government can do what they are doing, The opposition has no Back Bone to do anything. Guyana in my opinion is right back to the Burnham days. Take a good look at the patern and the trend, the present Government build the Guyanese a new bridge accross the Berbice river, some new roads and a new cricket ground, and all is forgotten, in the mean while all the coastal planes are flooded, nad the big hipe is the new Berbice River Bridge. Now evrey one who lives in Guyana is very happy. So my friend when you mention OPPOSITION, you have to ask yourself, what does the opposition have to offer?
THESE PERMITS SHOULD BE AUCTIONED, SO THE CITIZENS WILL BETHE WINNERS. NOT JUST THOSE GIVING OUT THE ‘BEEF’.
Drill baby drill!
Mr Wolford is making the announcement, but I am sure the decision was not his to make . When ever things like this happen you have to wonder who got paid . You har about these dals. What are the terms and how many guyanese would be employed by this company .
these things go thru a process…so it aint necessarily about who got paid…too many eyes watching now and yeah i aint naive, i know things can still pass but its tougher now; but i agree that we need to ensure that adequate employment opportunity is provided and education scholarships for the locals…all these are things that are invaluable contributions to the economy.
Maybe PNC is still in power because they blame PNC for everything. By the way is the country’s name still Guyana because there isnt no place that hasnt been privatised.
kick these companies out. the omai experience should have served as a lesson to guyanese for investors who want to come and exploit our natural resources and destroy the enviroment. investors should be encouraged to invest in agriculture and not our gold and forests.
You are right Macushi! Why is Guyana allowing another OUTSIDE company to “mine” Guyana’s Gold? Why don’t the government buy the necessary equipment and provide jobs for Guyanese gold miners? Where is the vision for Guyana. No change. Change needs to come to Guyana. Why, because it is Canada? These companies are all the same! They just deplete developing countries resources for their benefit. These developing countries get next to nothing in return for all its resources. Guyana needs to acquire its own mining equipments and mine its own gold. This will bring capital into Guyana not take it out to another country. I support Frm. Pres. Burnham’s philosphy, in short, “leave the gold right there.” It is not benefitting Guyana nor its people. Instead, it is just endangering people’s lives through chemical mishaps.
where will the government get the investment capital from in the first instance…should the take from those allocated to build bridges & roads, schools, pay the already under paid teachers and nurses, repair our sea-defenses, and need i mention monies for our drainage systems…???. Hands are tied…too much on the plate…ever wondered why alot aint being done…??…Lack of financing Capital and those with the funds to invest are reluctant because of our system which leaves gaps and loops for corruption…spell it out yuhself….
foreign investment is good for any country,it create jobs, thats if some of the proceeds go back into the development of that country, which in this case i doubt it,the govt’s share of this proceedings will be very silent because of corruption within this administration.