A visiting delegation from the Republic of South Africa, including Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Godfrey Oliphant, began a five-day visit yesterday and a Memorandum of Under-standing (MoU) for cooperation in the natural resources sector is expected to be inked.
The delegation met yesterday with Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and other ministry officials as well as representatives from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), and the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GY-EITI).
Oliphant and his team briefed the Natural Resources Ministry’s team on the work of his ministry and all it has been able to accomplish over the years, particularly in the mining sectors, and the challenges they have overcome. He was also briefed on the portfolio of the Natural Resources Ministry as well as the work of the various agencies that were present at the meeting.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Trotman said the South African ministry had been invited last year but was only able to facilitate the visit this year.
“Guyana has a lot to learn from South Africa as far as mining is concerned… and I have no doubt that South Africa is looking for new opportunities as we look to them for learning and experience,” he said.
Trotman explained that the ministry was seeking to benefit in the areas of training, such as for agencies like the GGMC and the GGB, deepened inter-governmental relations and from investment from South Africa.
He noted South Africa’s experience in gold and diamond mining in particular and said it is important to not only look to the West as far as mining best practices is concerned.
At the end of the exchange, Trotman suggested identifying five broad areas that they will use to formulate a MoU with the delegation as it relates to the mining and natural resources industry.
He also related that there will be a press conference where the media will be able to question the delegation at a later date.
The delegation will also be meeting with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of State Joseph Harmon and the Department of Energy Head Dr Mark Bynoe as it relates to possible cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
Other areas of collaboration are also being pursued by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge as it relates to education, culture and industry.
