| Amidst shakeups, following the creation of a new ministry, government over the weekend warned that it is moving to deal with corruption and ineffective management of the multi-billion-dollar mining sector.Over the years, there have been continuous rumours of mining officers being paid to turn a blind eye to illegal activities in the country’s hard-to-reach operations in the hinterland.A mining officer inspecting an operation in the Kaieteur Falls area.Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, and officials from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) met with miners last Saturday evening, at Bartica, at the St John-The-Baptist Primary School, where they outlined the areas of concern in the mining sector that will be addressed as the industry moves forward under the purview of the natural resources ministry.“We will be moving in a direction of zero tolerance for those activities, not only in terms of the Government’s standpoint and the agency’s standpoint, but from the industry’s standpoint,” Minister Persaud said.“If persons are seeking in a way to manipulate our system, by offering inducement, bribes …we would look at ways to deal with those individuals… as well as to deal with our staff.”He also said that the ministry will deal with those persons who may want to hide under some arrangement, and believe that they are untouchable, and likewise companies and individuals who seek to undermine the ministry’s monitoring systems.The price of gold and the opportunities available in the industry have created the belief – in some involved in the sector – that they can pay their way out of situations, Persaud is quoted in saying a government statement issued over the weekend.NEW INSPECTORSThe Ministry is now examining the possibilities of adding a number of independent ‘inspectors’ who operate outside of the day-to-day operations of the monitoring staff of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the regulatory body. These inspectors will make surprise visits to mining camps and will be given the authority to investigate and take the necessary action where required.Persaud assured the miners that the ministry will work to remove the conflict between the large and small-scale miners and create an environment where both can exist, and reiterated that there is a role for both groups.The minister asserted that Government is currently developing a ‘Small Miner Policy Support Plan’ that will look (from the perspective of the Government and GGMC) at what can be done to assist this group.Government also plans to map the entire country, to look at mining areas available, and to work out an arrangement whereby miners, especially small miners, will be able to access these areas. The administration’s support to small miners will also be focused on giving support to their reclamation activities as well as providing access to equipment.Government’s aim is to create a nexus between large and small mining in which they can complement each other, so as to integrate the two, but not having one take advantage over the other, Persaud said. He assured that Government’s assistance to the small miners will not in any way take way from the larger miners.ILLEGAL MININGRegarding the issue of illegal mining on Amerindian titled land, the GGMC officials noted that this is of special concern, particularly with the Brazilians and other non-Guyanese.Previously, mining had fallen under the Prime Minister’s portfolio, while forestry was being dealt with by the Ministry of Agriculture. However, following the formation of the new administration under President Donald Ramotar, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment was established. The new Ministry is tasked with the overseeing forestry, mining, issues of the environment and land management, among other things.Last week,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, a major consultation to map the way forward for the new ministry was held, with several stakeholders present.Persaud told the miners that the ministry’s job is to provide the kind of support that people can carry on their activities and sustain development, but that they do so out of respect for and in compliance with the laws.He however warned that as the industry goes forward under the umbrella of the natural resources ministry, the stakeholders must together work to create and develop an environment where there is sustainable utilisation of natural resources.“The role of mining going forward will be very critical, but not mining as we know it… it will require mining where all of us will need to make some paradigm shift so that we can become a modern country, where we can present to international communities that we can develop and advance our mining sector, and at the same time be in a position to preserve and sustainably manage our environment.”The minister made it clear to the miners that Government’s international commitments and national policy in terms of sustainable development of its natural resources do not in any way hinder mining or other natural resources activities, but that the administration will not in any way sacrifice one for the other.“We believe that we can have harmonious development, that is the preservation of our environment but also the maximum utilisation of our resources,” Persaud said, adding that the country must learn from the experiences of other countries, where they would have neglected one for the other and are now seeing the dire consequences. |
