-miners to make own submission
The Special Land Use Committee (SLUC) has wrapped up its work with the report expected to be submitted to President Bharrat Jagdeo and cabinet shortly.
The committee, which was set up to look into mining issues after an outcry by miners fearing that the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) would affect their operation and livelihoods, held its final meeting last Wednesday. Executive Secretary of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Edward Shields told this newspaper that while the report was “fair” in that their comments and concerns were included in the document, the Association will be making their own submission to the President. “What they have done is submit all the submissions, they summarize it. Our concerns…are in the body of the report”, he said.
He said that miners will continue to press for a 4% exemption of lands from the LCDS for mining, which is not part of the report. Asked about the six months notice requirement, Shields said that it would not seem necessary as they will be dealing directly with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and they understand that a clause which says that the Guyana Forestry Commission will have a “veto” has been removed.
“The reconstituted SLUC did not really deal with land utilization…but recommendations to ensure that small miners are not taken advantage of and also to assist small miners”, Shields further said.
These include access to equipment and assistance from the GGMC in determining the locations of deposits. He said that it is expected that after some “fine-tuning” the report will be submitted to the President and Cabinet.
