| – Top Cop, GDF to meet GGDMA on hinterland crime spree– Rusal eyes Guyana for main bauxite supplyBy Leonard GildarieGovernment yesterday announced plans to set aside significant tracts of land for small gold-miners, assuring that the industry remains a top priority for the administration,NFL Jerseys China, allaying fears of widespread changes.Speaking to members of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) yesterday, President Bharrat Jagdeo made it clear that while not much change will be coming to the industry, there will be no tolerance for any “wild west” situations.As a matter of fact, the Head of State was not against the possibility of opening the entire country to mining, once it is done in a controlled and sustainable manner. There had been suggestions from some miners that 5-10% of Guyana’s lands should be made available for mining activities.Small miners can now organize in groups and approach government for assistance, it was announced.The meeting yesterday would have come almost 20 months after worried miners met with the President in February 2010 at the International Convention Centre to discuss a contentious proposal of six months notice to regulators before the commencement of operations.That issue was not raised yesterday during the meeting at the Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, in which the President was the guest speaker.Miners had shut down Bartica,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, a key mining area up the Essequibo River, in January 2010 over fears that the six months notice, if implemented, could effectively shut the industry down.The President had met with the miners days later and tasked a stakeholders’ committee to examine measures to better regulate the industry.The government has since late last year been studying the proposals contained in that committee’s report.NO INCREASEAccording to Jagdeo, his administration was reluctant to rush any recommendations through because of the possible controversy.Making it clear that there will not be any new increase for small miners in royalties and other taxes, Jagdeo disclosed that large-scale mining companies will come in for different arrangements as Guyana must benefit.This was the recent case with Canadian-owned Guyana Goldfields Inc. in which the company will have to pay a 5% royalty for gold produced under the 1,NFL Jerseys Supply,000 ounces mark and 8% for declarations above that. The President hinted that similar agreements will be made with any large scale investors in the mining industry.According to Jagdeo, there will be many “rumours” in the “backdam” over changes and political parties will promise the “moon and stars”- the reality is that there are no increases in royalties and taxes by this government or under the next PPP/C administration.Acknowledging the difficulties miners face in operations – blindly not knowing whether they would strike – Jagdeo assured that moves are underway to produce a mineral map of Guyana, in collaboration with large-scale mining companies. But the outgoing leader noted that gold and diamond mining were not the only areas that had potential.Miners and other stakeholders during a critical meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Regency Suites yesterday.RUSAL PROPOSALRussian-owned bauxite company, Rusal, which has operations in Aroaima and Kwakwani,Wholesale Jerseys From China, in Berbice, has placed proposals before government to use Guyana as its primary source for its plants. This it was indicated, means massive investments, “thousands” more jobs and the development of a deep-water harbour in Berbice to reduce shipping costs.A recent deal to resuscitate manganese mining at Matthew’s Ridge also has the potential of becoming one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world by next year,Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys, Jagdeo told the gathering.It was noted that with possibilities in oil and gas, and with the recent discovery in French Guiana, the mining sector has become even more exciting.The President challenged the miners to also invest in other areas and discounted any perception that the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy would in any way negatively affect the industry.However, it is the miners’ duty to ensure that they operate in a responsible manner and not leave any scars.Regarding small miners, the government will fund the restoration of lands.The medium scale miners will be assisted with plants from nurseries while the bigger companies will have to produce the environment impact assessments and foot the costs of the land reclamation process. The President also warned that miners holding on to lands and not operating on them could come more under the radar.The issue of wanton tree felling and allowing it to waste was also a matter of concern for the official who insisted that measures must be put in place to address this.CRIMEMeanwhile, complaints by the miners of the high crime rate in the mining camps, especially with robberies and a number of murders recorded, was also raised.According to one mining official, they had attempted to meet with the Commissioner of Police, but were unsuccessful. The President promised that a meeting with the Guyana Defence Force, the Top Cop and the Home Affairs Ministry will take place next week.Regarding the recent reported surge of crimes in the hinterland mining areas, Jagdeo disclosed that the authorities had gathered significant intelligence on the gangs and other criminals operating there.There were also complaints about cease work orders issued by the regulators, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), being abused by some officers.Meanwhile, it was also disclosed that four miners who have made significant contributions to the industry are to be honoured today during the presentation of National Awards.These include Essequibo businessman Alfro Alphonso, Barticians Chunilall Baboolall and Shawn Hopkinson and Brian Tiwari. The awards were announced earlier this year.GGDMA’s consultant and former Executive Director, Tony Shields, complained that the high gold prices on the world market has brought new challenges to Guyana’s interior with increased robberies and illegal miners being noted.Issues like road maintenance and the need to move away from mercury use in gold mining are also among the challenges.As of yesterday, despite the gold rush in the interior,Wholesale Football Jerseys, a mere 207,000 ounces have been declared for the year, still way off the targeted 300,000-plus ounces.Also at the meeting in addition to top GGMC officials was Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, whose portfolios include the mining sector. |
