Govt opening up new mining lands through lottery

TIMES INT'L

The Natural Resources and Environment Minister through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is making more mining properties available through a lottery of special mining permit parcels in each of the six mining districts.
This move is part of the government’s drive to provide mining properties to small- and medium-scale Guyanese miners, the ministry said in a release Tuesday. The lottery is part of several efforts being undertaken by the government to support small miners and to ensure they have an opportunity to access land for mining.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud had earlier stated that calls were made by small miners for access to more lands for mining and it is anticipated that the lottery will provide a favourable opportunity for miners that are interested.
The lottery will be held simultaneously in the various districts next Wednesday at Kwakwani, Mahdia, Bartica, Port Kaituma and Lethem.
The participation in the lottery for special mining permits in the Berbice mining district is restricted to bona fide residents of Region 10 only. In addition, residents of Region 10 will also benefit from a special exemption as part of the general requirements for participation. This is part of government’s commitment to expand Region 10’s economic activities for social and economic improvement.
Further, in an effort to sensitise interested persons, field staff of the GGMC will host meetings in Linden, Kwakwani, Port Kaituma and Bartica in anticipation of the lottery and to provide technical support and guidance to potential applicants.
The commission is also inviting interested participants to consult with the relevant maps which are on display at the GGMC head office and mining stations, and initiate the required application process.
Meanwhile, to assist new entrants within the mining sector, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association will host a new entrants seminar to provide support to potential miners on how to acquire mineral properties, trade transactions for gold and diamonds and the administrative and environmental requirements for sustainable mine management.

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