The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is making more mining properties available through a lottery of special permit parcels in each of the six mining districts.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud had earlier said that small miners had requested more access to lands and the lottery is expected to meet this need. The lottery will be held simultaneously in various districts on Wednesday October 3 at Kwakwani, Mahdia, Bartica, Port Kaituma and Lethem, the ministry said in a press release said.
Participation in the lottery for special mining permits in the Berbice Mining District is restricted to bona fide residents of Region 10 only. They will also benefit from a special exemption as part of the general requirements for participation; through a commitment government had made to expand the region’s economic and social activities.
Further, the GGMC’s field staff will continue to host a number of meetings to provide technical support and guidance to potential applicants in anticipation of the lottery for the special permits. Meetings will be held today at the Port Kaituma Community Centre and the Bartica Market Square at 10 am. Meetings were held on Friday at the Linden Enterprise Network and on Tuesday at the GFC Building in Kwakwani.
The GGMC also advises persons to check the maps displayed at its head office and mining stations and initiate the required application process.
Meanwhile, to assist new entrants to the mining sector, the ministry and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association is hosting a seminar that will inform potential miners how to acquire mineral properties, trade transactions for gold and diamonds and the administrative and environmental requirements for sustainable mine management. The seminar will be held at the Sleepin International Hotel on Friday at 8.30 am.
