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GGMC committed to ensuring no illegal activities on Salbora Road

Dear Editor,
Reference is made to the Stabroek News article dated October 7th, 2008, and titled `Illegal mining damaging Mahdia Road again’.
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and a number of officials of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are very disappointed with your presentation on this matter.
The GGMC wishes to state that it remains committed to ensuring that no illegal activities occur, by monitoring and inspecting this area in its entirety on a daily basis.

In the course of its enforcement and monitoring activities in Mahdia and its environs (especially Minnehaha and Eagle Mountain), GGMC has, for the most part, conducted such in a collaborative manner with the officials of Region 8 and the GPF.

The information that GGMC is in possession of indicates that the major damage to the “Salbora” tertiary road remains only that which was incurred in 2007 and for which repairs are not yet done. The GGMC’s action since August, 2007, as alluded to in paragraph 2 of your newspaper’s article, has resulted in curtailment of any attempt to resume mining. Each and every observation or report in this regard has been met with rapid pro-active response by GGMC including unscheduled daily inspections in the area.

In addition, there is in fact an understanding between GGMC and Regional Officials, GPF and Com-munity Leaders, to promptly inform GGMC of any attempts or newly commenced illegal mining activities which may occur after its “back is turned”.
In this context, there have been instances where the RDC and GPF have taken independent action. The intent is to ensure that any such occurrences between daily visits would be shared promptly.

The GGMC officers have also worked with IAMGOLD in addressing issues with respect to their Eagle Mountain Prospecting Licence (PL) which is, contiguous with the Salbora and Minnehaha areas.

The GGMC acknowledges that illegal mining activities can be and are, on occasions, undertaken at night and continues to work at improving monitoring capability in these circumstances.

We do not condone the activities of these ‘lawbreakers’ who are not licensed and whose activities cause an unfortunate label for those who operate legitimately and who have thus earned the right to be called ‘miners’. We also encourage our mines officers to be ever vigilant and investigate allegations of misconduct. GGMC will sanction any officer who fails in his duty.

The GGMC reiterates that while it appreciates the apparent vigilance of your newspaper, it is hoped, however, that your journalists likewise appreciate the need for greater cooperation in a tangible manner with the Mahdia residents, and that they would encourage forthrightness and co-operation with authorities.

GGMC requests Stabroek News to regularly appraise the sources which it relies on. One hopes that these sources are not intent to create fodder for subsequent articles. GGMC would live with fair criticism but unfair criticism in the media is not only damaging to the GGMC but slowly, steadily, perilously destroys the social fabric which keeps society together. GGMC believes that such is not the intent of Stabroek News.
Yours faithfully,
William Woolford
Commissoner (ag),
Guyana Geology
and Mines Commission

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7 Responses to “GGMC committed to ensuring no illegal activities on Salbora Road”

M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett
on October 11th, 2008 8:41 am

Difference between ‘committed’ and ‘involved’.
The hen was involved in laying the egg.
The pig was committed to producing the bacon.
GGMC is committed.

[Reply to this]
Arnold
on October 11th, 2008 2:25 pm

For a few unscupulous miners a Village can soon be Isolated. Stop those heartless miners G.G.M.C.

[Reply to this]
Caesar
on October 11th, 2008 3:07 pm

Foreign miners must be stopped,but Guyanese miners should be free to mine.”One land of six people united and free.”

[Reply to this]
Ulric
on October 13th, 2008 9:43 am

Mr. Woolford to be called a “miner” and be licensed as such in Guyana, one must do what?

[Reply to this]
Caesar
In reply to the above comment on October 13th, 2008 10:05 pm:
Apprentice Ulric.First you have to know what you are prospecting for. Gold,bauxite,kaolin,manganeze,emeralds,beryl,ultramarine, meteorite fragment,dinosarous remains,whatever.Go to lands office. Enquire about how you can lease a piece of land .Look up a book on mining. Now , realize this.If you begin a journey,you have to know where you are going first. So,where do you want to go? To the goldfields? Then get some practice with “dem byes” in the Mazaruni first. After three months, just call yourself a miner.

[Reply to this]
Ulric
In reply to the above comment on October 14th, 2008 9:15 am:
Very interesting, but the central question is not answered. After all of the practice and, you call yourself a miner, is that the licensing requirement? Are you telling me that there are no laws that govern mining practices and the resultant damage to the environment to which you must conform to be licensed? If this is so, according to you, them why the Geology commission are calling people who call themselves”miners” law breakers? I think you do not fully understand the scope of the issue, but thanks for your response.
Caesar
on October 14th, 2008 7:32 pm

I tried to explain very simply what you asked about.To just go, and get the gold.However,you have decided to raise another issue out of thin air.I believe you are confused by the very issue you are raising.Get a timber concession then and beware how you are felling trees as I can see they will fall on a guy like you Ulric.Regards. Caesar agustus.

[Reply to this]