As the mining industry faces external threats, it will be focusing on three core issues in the future: the development of green/clean mining technologies, better declaration and enhancing regulatory mechanisms.

Norman McLean

“We have to modify a lot of the things that we are doing,” President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) Norman McLean told Stabroek News, acknowledging that environmental considerations are key. He said the “external threats” to mining include environmental issues, the proposed banning of mercury in mining operations and the “present Copenhagen exercise”. This will “affect how we do business and how we mine,” said McLean. He noted that the environment is being seen as critical and the industry is trying to achieve the targets set in an environmentally friendly manner.

In a press release earlier this week, the GGDMA had set a target of 300,000 ounces of gold to be produced by year end. Currently the figure stands at 288,000, surpassing last year’s figures in addition to reaching the nationally set target by the Guyana Gold Board. The GGDMA is pushing for the revised 300,000 ounces target saying that the industry is under threat from external forces.

In the statement, GGDMA Executive Director Anthony Shields said that all must be done to guarantee the continued survival of the industry.

It was noted that gold production has been steadily increasing and the 300,000 target, if achieved, will establish the mining sector as the largest foreign exchange earner for the country.  The overarching theme in the industry this year is ‘mining is too big to fail’.

McLean expressed confidence that the target will be met and also asserted that the figure can be surpassed next year. He noted that this year’s target is being worked on by small and medium-scale miners and pointed to projects in the pipeline. In this regard, McLean pointed to the Guyana Goldfield’s Aurora large-scale mining project while noting that Omai Gold Mines is currently doing some prospecting.

With the global spotlight firmly focused on the environment and the preservation of standing forests a key issue, moreso with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, the mining industry has come under pressure to clean up its act. Recently, it was announced that mining will face increased scrutiny as plans are progressing to greatly increase the number of mines officers stationed throughout the hinterland to monitor all operations. A recent Guyana Geology and Mines Commission notice warned miners of strict enforcement of environmental provisions.

That development comes as Guyana moves to implement the recently signed forest preservation Memorandum of Understanding with Norway and President Bharrat Jagdeo had challenged miners to be open to, and identify “sustainable changes” in procedures and practices which will minimize avoidable degradation of forests.

A joint government/GGDMA committee has been formed to review and elaborate on several proposals made. The government has said that the recent agreement with Norway through which Guyana receives payments for avoided deforestation and degradation now puts a significant monetary and moral cost to any unnecessary degradation of forest areas for any purpose.