Illicit activities
The recent disclosure in local print and online media that gold was being smuggled out of Guyana in significant quantities is a blow to the integrity of Guyana’s revenue collection system and an apparent indictment of all aspects of port security ‒ land, sea and air. In addition, both the GGMC and the GRA are responsible for revenue collection and both might be missing key signs of law-breaking that enables illicit activities to flourish. The Guyana Gold Board has a responsibility here too which could control the illicit outflow of gold. The mining industry of which gold is a part however is policed by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The system of control therefore starts there. It is the body that is supposed to have a reasonably good idea of the level of activity of the mining sector and therefore should be able to report how much gold is produced in Guyana.
