Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) President Patrick Harding said the large-scale miners would have to help the Guyana Police Force police the mining districts even as criminal activities continue to rise in the hinterland.
GGDMA President Patrick Harding
In an interview with Guyana Times International, Harding stated that while meetings have been held with former Police Commissioner Henry Greene, there are several security concerns lingering in the minds of miners, in particular medium and large scale miners. At the meeting with Greene last year, Harding said measures to improve security in the hinterland regions were discussed.
He noted that it was highlighted and accepted that there is a lack of sufficient ranks available to do constant patrols in the mining districts.
The GGDMA president said there is need for there to be frequent patrols, but said the issue of security in the mining districts will be tackled by both the Guyana Police Force and the miners.
“Miners are looking at measures to beef up their own security, the larger miners that is… we discussed the possibility of putting police outposts in some areas where there is heavy mining taking place… some backdams,” Harding said.
But while there has been consensus on both ends, (The Guyana Police Force and miners) to cooperate to tackle crime, several requests made to the Home Affairs Ministry for miners to train their own security officials have not been responded to.
That aside, the issuance of fire arms is another issue awaiting the attention of the Home Affairs Ministry.
In the meantime, the GGDMA president is confident that the mining sector will continue to soar as production sky rockets.
He said another important task is to push miners to declare all gold retrieved to the Guyana Gold Board or to licensed buyers. But while it is important that all of the regulations are in place to ensure that mining is conducted in a manner that is safe to all, Harding noted that the interests of small miners must be protected. “We will look at the plight of small miners,” he said.
The GGDMA president added that there are many unused lands across the country that can be utilized for mining but the GGMC needs to issue lands under the lottery system. He noted that there has been no bidding on lands here since November 2009. “There is a demand for land and we want to get that opened up… once done fairly and equitably, all should be well.”
According to Harding, small scale miners would be educated about the Environmental Protection Agreement (EPA). He said education is key to the success of the industry as it is critical that miners mine in an environmentally safe atmosphere.
Harding said that the GGDMA will be working with all stakeholders to ensure that all that is required to educate miners is done.
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