Dear Editor,

We refer to your article in Stabroek News dated January 8, 2010, entitled ‘Lumumba mining deal raised queries.’

McNeal Enterprise headed by Odinga Lumumba was granted in 1991 a prospecting licence for gold and valuable minerals in the Mariwa-Sardine Hill area. Subsequent to the grant of the said licence, McNeal entered into an agreement with Roraima Mining Company (RMC), headed by Grantley Walrond, whereby RMC acquired 85% of McNeal’s interest in the Mariwa-Sardine Hill property. Pursuant to the said agreement, RMC was responsible for discharging all of McNeal’s obligations as were required by the Mining Act and the regulations made under the said act.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) approved the said agreement between McNeal and RMC. However, later on, the GGMC granted a prospecting licence to RMC for the said property.

RMC, acting pursuant to the agreement with McNeal and subsequently with its agreement with the GGMC, expended in excess of US$2,000,000 carrying out exploration and other works on the property.

The GGMC revoked the said prospecting licence it issued to RMC due to RMC’s omission to discharge its statutory obligations to the GGMC in a timely manner.

Some time after the RMC’s licence was revoked, the GGMC advertised the said area of land covered by the licence to be put on auction for a particular date. The land was purchased at the auction by a Baboolall. RMC and Lumumba brought separate proceedings against the GGMC seeking to set aside the sale, and obtained injunctions restraining the GGMC from issuing a prospecting licence to Baboolall, pending the determination of the action.

Subsequent to the filing of the writs and the granting of injunctions, Baboolall sought a refund and was given a refund of the money he paid for the property, which then cleared the way for GGMC to deal with the property again.

Walrond and Lumumba petitioned President Bharrat Jagdeo to have a prospecting licence to mine for gold and other valuable mineral on said property granted to a company to be incorporated by them by the name of Mariwa Mining Company Inc (MARIWA). President Bharrat Jagdeo, acting with the advice of the Prime Minister, granted the petition and thereafter MARIWA applied to the GGMC for a prospecting licence to mine for gold and valuable minerals on the property. The GGMC then followed the legal procedures and advertised in the Official Gazette its intention to grant a prospecting licence to MARIWA for the property, and there being no objection after the statutory waiting period expired, the GGMC approved the application.

Yours faithfully,
Grantley Walrond
Odinga Lumumba