Small-scale miners to get priority as committee set to consider new permits

-Trotman

The Closed Area Committee (CAC) is now ready to receive applications for prospecting permits to mining lands, according to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who says small-scale mining operations would be the first priority. Trotman said that the decision was made at a CAC meeting on Tuesday, at which both the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) were represented.

He told a news conference at the ministry that blocks will be given out in the six (6) mining districts: Berbice, Potaro, Mazaruni, Cuyuni, the North West and the Rupununi.

He noted that approximately 422 acres will constitute a block an a miner may be considered for a grant up to a maximum of three blocks (1,266 acres) and this will be based on the miner’s competency and financial and technical resources.

Trotman reminded that during April, the ministry had announced that it was finalising arrangements to make lands available for small miners.  The ministry, he said, remains very committed to ensuring that small miners, who are a valuable part of the natural resources sector, are able to ply their trade in a way that is beneficial to all. However, he said this must be done within the confines of the laws and according to the guidelines and regulations that govern the sector.

According to Trotman, the GGMC will receive applications and will provide the CAC with the background information to allow the committee to make informed recommendations to the minister for approval. The details for the process of making the applications and the criteria to be applied will be published in the daily newspapers, on the ministry’s website (nre.gov.gy/) and through other media. The next immediate order of business, Trotman said, is to address applications for persons who require alternative blocks of mining lands. “At this point in time, we are not contemplating a lottery because we want to ensure that those with the greater need will be given the first preference,” he explained.

Meanwhile asked about labour complaints, he said that the ministry would look at those whenever they are made.  He said that whenever complaints have been received, they are acted upon.

In the same breath, he complimented Junior Minister Simona Broomes for the work she has been doing. He said that there have been a few instances where the ministry has used its discretion and adopted a position of telling miners that they cannot be granted concessions if workers are not being treated well. “We found that that has worked… the word has gone out that we are performing a gatekeeping function; that we are looking into issue of payment and the treatment of workers and we are seeing a greater level of respect for workers. I am not saying it is perfect,” he said, while adding that there has been greater compliance with the law. “In a sense, complaints are down but that is not to say that they have stopped. But I think the presence of Minister Broomes has had a great impact in that regard,” he added.