Dear Editor,
Reference is made to the Stabroek News article dated October 7th, 2008, and titled `Illegal mining damaging Mahdia Road again’.
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and a number of officials of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are very disappointed with your presentation on this matter.
The GGMC wishes to state that it remains committed to ensuring that no illegal activities occur, by monitoring and inspecting this area in its entirety on a daily basis.
In the course of its enforcement and monitoring activities in Mahdia and its environs (especially Minnehaha and Eagle Mountain), GGMC has, for the most part, conducted such in a collaborative manner with the officials of Region 8 and the GPF.
The information that GGMC is in possession of indicates that the major damage to the “Salbora” tertiary road remains only that which was incurred in 2007 and for which repairs are not yet done. The GGMC’s action since August, 2007, as alluded to in paragraph 2 of your newspaper’s article, has resulted in curtailment of any attempt to resume mining. Each and every observation or report in this regard has been met with rapid pro-active response by GGMC including unscheduled daily inspections in the area.
In addition, there is in fact an understanding between GGMC and Regional Officials, GPF and Com-munity Leaders, to promptly inform GGMC of any attempts or newly commenced illegal mining activities which may occur after its “back is turned”.
In this context, there have been instances where the RDC and GPF have taken independent action. The intent is to ensure that any such occurrences between daily visits would be shared promptly.
The GGMC officers have also worked with IAMGOLD in addressing issues with respect to their Eagle Mountain Prospecting Licence (PL) which is, contiguous with the Salbora and Minnehaha areas.
The GGMC acknowledges that illegal mining activities can be and are, on occasions, undertaken at night and continues to work at improving monitoring capability in these circumstances.
We do not condone the activities of these ‘lawbreakers’ who are not licensed and whose activities cause an unfortunate label for those who operate legitimately and who have thus earned the right to be called ‘miners’. We also encourage our mines officers to be ever vigilant and investigate allegations of misconduct. GGMC will sanction any officer who fails in his duty.
The GGMC reiterates that while it appreciates the apparent vigilance of your newspaper, it is hoped, however, that your journalists likewise appreciate the need for greater cooperation in a tangible manner with the Mahdia residents, and that they would encourage forthrightness and co-operation with authorities.
GGMC requests Stabroek News to regularly appraise the sources which it relies on. One hopes that these sources are not intent to create fodder for subsequent articles. GGMC would live with fair criticism but unfair criticism in the media is not only damaging to the GGMC but slowly, steadily, perilously destroys the social fabric which keeps society together. GGMC believes that such is not the intent of Stabroek News.
Yours faithfully,
William Woolford
Commissoner (ag),
Guyana Geology
and Mines Commission