President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environ-ment Robert Persaud yesterday made unprecedented aerial and ground visits of mining operations in and around Puruni and Issano, Region Seven and addressed a number of miners’ issues.
The Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) said in a press release that the visits were part of the 2012 Mining Week activities.
According to GINA, scores of miners turned out to interface with President Ramotar and Minister Persaud who were accompanied by Deputy Commission-er of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Rickford Vieira and President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Patrick Harding.
Miners raised issues relating to enhanced health care, better security arrangements, sloth in processing work permits for Brazilians, Amer-indian land titling/extension which conflicts with mining and the need to accelerate the hinterland and mining roads’ rehabilitation programmes, GINA noted.
In addition, small miners complained that they needed land for mining and improved monitoring by the GGMC.
President Ramotar reminded the miners about the need for mining to take into account issues of the environment. And assuring the mining community of his government’s support, he pointed to their roles and responsibility so that the national mining sector carries a good image.
Ramotar also pointed out that compliance with national and international standards would assure the country access to markets for gold and other minerals.
Ramotar undertook to discuss with Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee the processing of work permits for the Brazilian community. Moreover, issues of better security, establishment of police outposts and intensified health care services, particularly to combat malaria, will receive the Head of State’s attention.
Minister Persaud highlighted the importance of mining and the role of interior mining communities which are growing. He emphasised that more land will be made available for mining but urged greater collaboration and support. He said that the GGMC has been urged to be more efficient and effective in servicing the mining sector.
Persaud also noted that for the first time in mining week, the President and subject minister were visiting the remote mining areas to interact with stakeholders. He said that his ministry will continue to focus on improved collaboration to prepare the sector for new and emerging challenges and opportunities, noting that the current high gold prices are to the benefit of Guyana, the economy and miners.
Meanwhile, the GGDMA head urged miners to be environmentally-friendly and support efforts to ensure compliance with national laws as he called for full participation in the ministry’s mining week initiatives.
