The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is currently expanding its monitoring of mining operations’ compliance and this will see 11 new mining stations, in the various mining districts to address the rapid growth of the mining sector, a release from the agency said.
According to the release, the GGMC has been mandated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment to construct eleven new mining stations and living quarters in various mining districts such as Aranka Aremu, Arau/Eteringbang, Eclipse Falls, Kamwatta, Kaburi, Lethem, Bartica etc. to increase the presence of monitoring and enforcement staff on the ground.
Further, GGMC has acquired fifteen mobile mining camps and deployment has already started in areas such as Issano and parts of the Northwest District. Areas such as Arrow, Cuyuni River, Olive Creek and Mazaruni among others will be targeted for monitoring to improve compliance.
The release said that this effort is part of an ongoing programme to strengthen the human resources and technical capacity of the GGMC. Coupled with the need for additional staff and services, it is planned that several departments of the commission such as the laboratory, library and other support services, will be relocated to the 44 High Street building which has been unoccupied for several years now. As such, a Technical Evaluating Committee is currently reviewing bids for the design and rehabilitation of the building to accommodate the upgraded laboratories, cartographic section, library etc.
Additionally, the GGMC has completed the rehabilitation of two buildings at Upper Brickdam, one for storage to house spares and other supplies and the larger one to accommodate GGMC staff and to host the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment.
The release said that senior managers and staff of the commission along with the Guyana Public Service Union were recently updated on these developments.
