Miners anticipate swift review, action on SLUC report

The Special Land Use Committee (SLUC), estab-lished by the govern-ment to review mining matters, has submitted to President Bharrat  Jagdeo its final report, with various recom-  mendations. Miners are  now hoping for swift ac-tion by the head of state to peruse the document and address the issues  at hand.  This action, accord-ing toExecutiveDirector of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners  Association (GGDMA), Edward Shields, is es-sential for miners to  know exactly what is the government’s poli-cy position on mining. He stated that this year has been one of “uncer-  tainty” for miners, and this held up a number of mining investments by some of the indus-try’s bigger stakehold-  ers.  Pointing out that mining investments usually require mil-lions of dollars, Shields said that, as a result of the “uncertainty”, these operators con-tinue to work but have  kept their operations at a certain level. The fa-  vourable gold prices are perhaps the key reason that has kept them go-ing, the miners’ repre-sentative suggested. Nevertheless, as the SLUC report has been submitted, the miners are looking forward to positive signals and bet-ter things. The SLUC, chaired by former commissioner  of the Guyana Geologyand Mines Commission(GGMC) Robeson Benn,submitted its report lastweek. Prior to the workof this committee, therewas much uproar in themining industry earlierin the year when minersunanimously spokeout against various regulationsthat were proposedfor their operations.The SLUC, therefore,was intended to addressthese and other key mining matters in consultationwith the miners.Areas addressed includedpolicy framework foroperations, as well ascurrent challenges facingthe industry, suchas crime in the interior.Equally, the committeehas looked at opportunitiesfor development and growth within themining industry.At its most recentmeeting with memberslast week, the GuyanaGold and DiamondMiners Association discussedthe SLUC reportas one of its primaryareas of concern.Included in the report are several recommendationsfor enhancingsecurity in the hinterland,in light of recentrobbery attacks on miners,and other criminalactivities. Shields explainedthat several securityexperts, such asformer Assistant PoliceCommissioner PaulSlowe and retired MajorGeneral Norman McLean guided drafting ofthe recommendations.The GGDMA officialrelated that while theSLUC report includesa number of recommendations,the main onesproposed are increasedroadway patrols, photoidentificationfor everyoneentering the interior,and a campaign torid the areas of illegalshops. Noting the needfor roadway patrols,Shields stated thatwhile police raids arecarried out in the interior,it is often the casethat by the time law enforcementofficers departthe city for the interior,everyone in thehinterland has alreadybeen alerted.Shields pointed outthat GGDMA recognisesthat the photo-IDhas some legal impediments,since it is notlikely that miners wouldhave a photograph onthem while in the interior.However, he emphasisedthat minersshould understand thatthis action is in their interestand for the safetyof all who live and workin the hinterland. Henoted that names arecurrently being takenat the checkpoints, butthere is no way of verifyingthe authenticity ofthose names. Further,he stated that minerscould use other documentsfor the photo-ID,such as drivers’ licences,registrations, etc.Concerning thepresence of the illegalshops, Shields said thepolice have evidencethat shows that theseshops harbour criminalsand aid criminalactivities. The illegalshops, he explained, arethose “where people justthrow up a flimsy buildingnear the areas wherethe miners are directlyin the bush”. He addedthat this facilitates cocainetrading and harbouringof criminals.Shields expressedgratitude to the policefor the good job of theofficers of E&F PoliceDivision, who attendedthe meeting last weekand had frank discussionswith the minersabout security. GGMC’sCommissioner WilliamWoolford was also atthat meeting, and headvised the miners thatthe Guyana Geologyand Mines Commissionis doing a lot to enhanceits operations, and now“underhand businesseswould be something ofthe past”.With regard to thegold mining business,the GGDMA executivedirector stated thatwhile prices are excellent,declarations aredisappointing. However,he said that the government’sdeclared targetfor this year, 311,000ounces, would be met.Personally, Shields ishoping for a declarationof about 320,000 ounces of gold this year.