With an increase in deforestation affecting a forests protection pact with Norway, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud yesterday said that there will be increased monitoring of mining operations.
Speaking during the Budget 2014 debate in the National Assembly yesterday, Persaud said that while government looks to exploit Guyana’s natural resources, initiatives are underway to do so in a balanced manner. Government has partnered with stakeholders including other governments to get the support needed to generate a comprehensive geological map which will provide a depiction of where Guyana’s minerals are located thereby allowing government to engage in “sensible mining,” he said.
Persaud also spoke of the establishment of real-time satellite imagery which will be used to pinpoint and track the location of dredges, as well as mining areas. The technology can be used to pinpoint deforestation hotspots and track locations where illegal mining is taking place, the minister said. Government has
