The authorities are embarking on a major clean-up of the gold and diamond mining communities countrywide.
This announcement was made by Environment and Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud during a meeting with miners, residents and other interested parties in Mahdia yesterday, a GINA press release said yesterday.
“As such, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission will embark on an environmental enhancement project to improve the conditions of mining communities in all mining districts, commencing with Mahdia, especially o deal with sanitation and other environmental matters,” the release said.
Calling it a “major initiative to commence the enhancement of main mining communities in the various mining districts” the release quoted the minister as saying that the process will involve a multi-stakeholder approach including the Regional Democratic Council, residents and other government ministries.
Persaud also briefed miners on efforts to make more land available for small miners, through a process of lottery and auction, the release said. He also pointed out that the enforcement of Operation El Dorado will continue indefinitely and miners and others in the sector are urged to regularize their activities to avoid being prosecuted.
According to the release, Operation El Dorado will be enhanced and supported by a permanent Inspectorate Unit in the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission to bring order and legality to the mining sector, Persaud said. Operation El Dorado was launched to target all factors relating to illegal mining and other activities to lift the standards of mining towards creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly mining sector.
Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation Simona Broomes commended Persaud for his timely visit and urged all miners to highlight their concerns to bring about change in Mahdia. She said the sector has the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the government, according to the release.
Additionally, Mark Crawford, Regional Chairman, Region Eight applauded Persaud for the steps taken to regularize the mining sector and said that it was unfortunate that it did not happen ten years ago. Crawford also said, according to the release, that miners must obtain mining permits before operating to generate revenue, which will return to the country.
Also present were Ronald Harsawack, Regional Executive Officer; Joseph Hamilton, Member of Parliament and other senior government officials, the release said.
