Prime Minister Samuel Hinds performing the functions of President told stakeholders in the mining and forestry sectors on Tuesday of government’s multiple land use policy which seeks a harmonious relationship among all groups.
He was addressing a symposium at Hotel Tower that was organised by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commis-sion (GGMC) and featured presentations on government’s policy on multiple land use, prospects and problems of medium-scale mining, opportunities and objections of lands and surveys and conditions and conflicts in forestry certification, the Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) reported.
The Acting President reiterated that small and medium-scale miners must be sensitised about the need for the harmonious use of land in Guyana.
“The government expects that we harmonise land use, surface and subsurface uses.
These requirements are not new since they existed in the law of 1989 and which said that before any mining is done, the surface-use holder must be satisfied,” Hinds is quoted by GINA as saying.
The indigenous peoples of Guyana in keeping with government’s policy are the priority stakeholders in this situation since they carry surface rights and according to Hinds mining operations would only be permitted with their consent. Although there are instances in the past where mining activities have preceded residential establishments, he noted that there should be recognition of each other’s rights, GINA reported.
Medium-scale mining activities were the main focus of the symposium since they cover the largest acreage, and GGMC’S acting commissioner noted that medium scale mining level has seen rapid occupation, investment and land development.
In the hinterland communities where mining activities are prominent, Hinds said several miners are of the perception that they are the sole owners of the land which they occupy, a perception which he said has the potential for conflict. Although there are instances in the past where mining activities have preceded residential establishments, Hinds said there should be recognition of each other’s rights. One year ago a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the GGMC, GFC and the Lands and Surveys Commission for the multiple uses of hinterland roads which had brought several conflicts among the stakeholders.
Among those who participated in the symposium were Commissioner (ag) of GGMC William Woolford, Commis-sioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commis-sion, Andrew Bishop, Commis-sioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) James Singh and Executive Sec-retary of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Asso-ciation (GGDMA) Edward Shields.