Miners at a special meeting yesterday declared no confidence in Minister of Natural Resources and the Environ-ment, Robert Persaud after unanimously expressing their opposition to the ministry’s decision to halt the processing of river claims.
A shout of “ayes” responded to the question put by president of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Patrick Harding on whether the miners wished to express no confidence in the minister. “We want our message to be loud and clear,” said one miner. Yesterday’s meeting was called after the GGDMA expressed alarm at government’s decision to halt the processing of applications for mining in rivers. The GGDMA management committee said that it is concerned that such a decision has been taken without consultation, and said the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) did not even have the courtesy to officially inform the association.
The miners have decided to set up a mobilization committee to discuss further moves and several yesterday vociferously called for action. “If we have to go to the
