Government will be adopting a zero-tolerance policy on corruption in the mining industry.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Robert Persaud while addressing stakeholders of the mining community at Bartica on Saturday evening also spoke of impending developments in the industry which he noted will be critical and may require a paradigm shift in the way they operate.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the meeting was held at the St John-the-Baptist Primary School and Persaud was accompanied by officials of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
As he addressed the gathering, Persaud noted that the government will be paying more strict attention to corrupt activities in the sector as well as ineffective management.
He said, ”we will be moving in a direction of zero tolerance for those activities not only in terms of the Government’s standpoint and the agency’s standpoint but from the industry’s standpoint”.
He said, ”if persons are seeking in a way to manipulate our system, by offering inducements, bribes..we would look at ways to deal with those individuals..as well as to deal with our staff”.
He said that the price of gold and the opportunities available in the industry have created for some in the sector, the belief that they can pay their way out of situations.
To counter this, he said that in addition to the existing monitoring systems, the ministry will be creating ‘inspectors’ who will operate outside of the day-to-day operations of the monitoring staff.
The inspectors will make surprise visits to mining camps and will be given the authority to investigate and take necessary action when required, Persaud noted.
He told those present that the government sees prosperity, opportunity and wealth for this and future generations and he noted that mining and mining communities are part of the vision of developing a prosperous and stable Guyana.
He warned however, that as the mining industry moves forward under the Natural Resources Ministry, stakeholders must work together to create and develop an environment where there is sustainable utilisation of natural resources.
According to GINA, Persaud said, ”the role of mining going forward will be very critical, but not mining as we know it..it will require mining where all of us will need to make some paradigm shift so that we can become a modern country, where we can present to international communities that we can develop and advance our mining sector and at the same time be in a position to preserve and sustainably manage our environment”.
He told the miners that the administration’s international commitments and national policy in terms of sustainable development do not in any way hinder mining or other natural resources activities and it will not sacrifice one for any other.
“We believe that we can have harmonious development, that is the preservation of our environment but also the maximum utilization of our resources,” he said.
As regards the small miners, he said that the ministry will work to remove the conflict which exists between the large and small scale miners and create an environment where both can exist.
He said that the government is developing a ‘Small Miner Policy Support Plan’ which will look, from the perspective of the government and the GGMC, at what can be done to assist the small miners.
Meantime, Persaud noted that illegal mining by locals and foreigners, particularly Brazilians, is an issue which will be addressed.
He urged the miners to respect the Amerindian Titled lands and to ensure that they follow and respect the laws which are relevant to the issue.
