The 15,000 ounces figure cited by Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman of gold being smuggled out of Guyana each week has been labelled as “ridiculous” by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA).
“While we agree that smuggling is taking place, the figure being touted of 15,000 ounces per week is ridiculous, at least. It is very difficult for us to fathom that 15,000 ounces are being smuggled out of the country on a weekly basis as this amount equates to over 770,000 ounces per annum, this would be approximately double the average annual yearly declarations over the last few years,” the GGDMA said in a recent statement.
“We hope that over time more details are made available about these numbers so that clarity can be acquired regarding the origin of these numbers. Despite this discrepancy, the association remains steadfast, in that, not even one ounce should be smuggled,” it said.
In January, Trotman had said that approximately 15,000 ounces of gold is being smuggled from Guyana each week and the country is losing as much as 60% of gold produced here in this manner. If priced at US$1,000 per ounce it would mean around $3b would be leaving the country each week. Government and law enforcement officials have said that there has been major smuggling of gold to the US and other countries, including Brazil and an investigation is underway that encompasses collaboration between Georgetown and Washington on tracing shipments of gold and their declaration in the US.
The GGDMA statement said that at a recent meeting with ministry officials, the topic of gold smuggling was discussed at length and the association reminded the ministry that it remains firmly against smuggling.
“Gold smuggling is unacceptable. It robs the industry of its true revenue position and deprives Guyanese and the state of its resources. We call on the government to continue tightening all avenues, especially our ports of exit and entry and other porous areas on our borders, to rid us of this scourge and the negative publicity that it has brought our industry,” the statement asserted.
“The GGDMA does not in any way or fashion condone smuggling and has always been reminding miners to sell their gold only to licenced dealers. We applaud the works being done by the government to stamp out smuggling. Smuggling not only affects the revenue collected by the state and as such, national development; it also has the damning effect (that) all miners … are often painted with the same bad brush. The majority of miners are not involved in smuggling and are focused on self and national development,” it declared.
Meantime, the statement disclosed that at the meeting, the GGDMA was informed that there will be no ban on the importation of popular trucks older than eight years, which are utilized in the mining industry (i.e.: Model M and TM). Additionally, the GGDMA was advised that a committee has been convened and tasked with identifying lands for allocation exclusively to small scale miners in each mining district. The committee is expected to conclude its work in a couple months.
The GGDMA said that it welcomes the continued partnership and spirit of open dialogue it enjoys with the Ministry of Natural Resources and looks forward to the continuing of the genuine partnership.
