There have been several changes at the mining agencies with former army chief, retired Major General Joe Singh now the Chairman of the Board of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Head of the Budget Department at the Ministry of Finance Sonia Roopnauth now Chairperson of the Guyana Gold Board.
They replace Ronald Webster and Rishi Sookram, respectively. In addition, Commissioner of the GGMC William Woolford is set to retire next month. Woolford served as acting GGMC Commissioner, following the appointment of then Commissioner Robeson Benn to his current position as Minister of Transport and Hydraulics following elections in 2006.
The industry has performed well in the past few years and gold is the number one export earner. However, the sector is facing stricter implementation of new regulations that miners fear could shut it down.
A report on new rules is currently before Cabinet.
