Miners at a special meeting this afternoon declared no confidence in Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud following intense exchanges on the ministry’s decision to halt the processing of river claims.
A shout of “ayes” responded to the question put by president of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Patrick Harding on whether the miners wished to express no confidence in the minister. “We want our message to be loud and clear,” said one miner.
The special meeting was called after the GGDMA expressed alarm at government’s decision to halt the processing of applications for mining in rivers. “The GGDMA is alarmed that such a decision has been taken without consultation, and the fact that GGMC did not even have the courtesy to officially inform the GGDMA,” an ad by the GGDMA management committee in the Sunday Stabroek said.
The miners decided today to set up a mobilization committee to discuss further action. The association received over $10M in pledges at the meeting today to aid their efforts, according to an official.
