After two years of planning, the Natural Resources Ministry yesterday announced that a number of mining properties are to be converted from prospecting permit status to mining status, which is expected to benefit a number of big players in the industry and others.
The decision comes following an agreement between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and comes with conditions attached, including utilising new technologies to reduce the use of mercury and employing at least 50% of labour from surrounding areas.