Brazilian miners working in Guyana are today due to meet with top government officials at the Celina Atlantic Resort.
Today’s meeting is set to be a heated one since secretary of the Brazil Mining and General Association (BMGA) Antonio Szala last evening told Stabroek News that his organization’s members plan to raise issues affecting legal small scale and medium scale miners particularly constant harassment and being forced to pay exorbitant sums for permits. Several Brazilian miners had complained to Stabroek News that they were sometimes forced by persons, including law enforcement officials, to pay up to $400,000 for a work permit.
“Why is it that someone who is legitimately entitled to a permit be harassed and asked to pay $2000 for something that costs $5000?…It is unfair and unjust if someone is entitled we must so grant it not harass and shake them down” Minister of Natural Resources Robert Persaud said at the 30th Anniversary Celebrations of the Guyana Gold Board yesterday.
The meeting will commence at 3pm and the BMGA has stated that buses will be available at the association’s headquarters Robb and Cummings streets to transport persons desirous of attending.
