Ministry will continue addressing problems in mining districts
Dear Editor, As continued efforts are made to address mining-related issues within Guyana, the Ministry of Natural Resources wishes to thank those who have assisted in allowing the recent enforcement operation therefore ensuring its completion. As other enforcement exercises are planned and executed, the Ministry and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) will take on board useful suggestions and lessons learnt from the last one. Particularly, we thank the residents and miners of Mahdia, Region 8 for their cooperation.
Further, the Ministry wishes to recognize those who have made worthwhile comments, specifically Stabroek News which published an editorial that included recommendations on enhancing the functions of the Ministry and its agencies.
The editorial headlined `Mining deaths and GGMC’s responsibility’, stressed on the importance of a continued relationship between miners and the subject ministry along with its agency, the GGMC, to ensure improved engagement strategies and proper occupational health and safety practices. The Ministry has taken note of this and will continue to make the requisite efforts as it pertains to stakeholder and compliance engagement in the mining districts.
Mining in Guyana has contributed significantly to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product and will continue to do so if conducted in the most proper manner. If not, it can have overwhelming impacts on persons and the environment. Of recent there has been a plethora of reports on illegal mining, pollution and mining-related deaths and this is a cause for concern. Not a week goes by without a letter or article in the print media about some mining related matter, or the Ministry of the Presidency or other Ministries not receiving a complaint of violations of one kind or another. Despite the routine enforcement operations, there comes a time when a different type of
approach is needed - one in which advance notice is counter-productive to its effectiveness.
With this in mind, the Ministry also wishes to make known that itself and its agencies will continue making steady steps towards addressing many of the issues that present themselves in the mining districts and adjoining communities. These issues are of great concern and deserve to be addressed at every instance be it prevalent or not.
The Ministry holds stakeholder engagement at a very high standard and has even taken the steps to establish a Multi-Stakeholder Committee to better understand and guide the responses to varying and intersecting interests, issues and concerns in the sector, and also, a Compliance Division with a Corps of Wardens who are trained to address non-compliance with mining- related environmental regulations.
As we come closer to embracing the ‘green economy’ concept, we do so accepting that the extractives industry and environmental preservation are not mutually exclusive and is achievable with a plan. This fact was recently realised when the verified figures for deforestation showed that 2017 saw the lowest recorded deforestation, whilst simultaneously, we are having record declarations of gold and minerals. The Ministry of Natural Resources, and its accompanying agencies, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Guyana Gold Board, are committed to working with miners, forest users and dwellers, and other stakeholders, to ensure steady progress in influencing a change to better and best practices in mining. Yours faithfully, Stephon Gabriel, Public Affairs/Communications Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources