Positive reports on mining development in Guyana – Canada’s Foreign Minister

The future of mining collaboration between Guyana and Canada was discussed when Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Diane Ablonczy met with Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud on Monday.

Ablonczy, who was accompanied by Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana David Devine and other Canadian officials, applauded the government of Guyana for the effective systems that have been implemented to preserve the environment in its pursuit of a developed mining sector.
“It is very impressive because I have seen countries where that is not the case; I see deforestation, I see pollution of waterways and the heritage of the people is eased, so I really commend you on your leadership,” the Canadian foreign affairs minister told Persaud when they met at his office.
The Canadian minister pledged her country’s support in Guyana’s pursuit of sustainable development, noting that she met with Canadian mining companies operating in the country on Sunday night where there were positive reports emanating on mining development in Guyana. She advised Persaud to continue consultation programmes with communities that are directly and indirectly involved.
While Canada has pumped millions into gold and diamond mining operations, Ablonczy expressed willingness to initiate talks in areas such as gas and oil exploration, manganese and the development of other natural resources, as she extended a formal invitation for Minister Persaud to visit Alberta; the leading Province in oil and gas development in Canada.
The minister posited that Canada has also been making significant strides in protecting the environment and simultaneously curbing green house gas emissions.
“I think we can benefit from dialogue with you because you are starting to shape the natural resource development regime here in Guyana, we are also helping to shape it down the roadway, but we are still learning as well.”
To date, there is about Cdn$ 600 million worth of investments in mining in Guyana, with some 50 gold mining operations that stretch across the country. Of all the commodities imported from Guyana; gold ranks the highest in terms of quantity with 95 per cent rating. Over the next three years, Persaud said there will be two large companies which are expected to rake in three to five million ounces of gold.
He also disclosed that his newly established ministry is currently looking at drafting legislations in an effort to incorporate the exploration of petroleum, noting a feasibility study indicated that there is some 30 million plus deposits of uranium up for exploration.
While the country continues to progress in the development of its natural resources, the natural resources and environment minister said Guyana lacks expertise in the field of geology.
“If you look at the technology that is being employed now in mining, we don’t have the required expertise; take for instance the manganese operation that we are doing there, more than 80 per cent of the geologists we have here are out of Africa, out of Latin America, we do not have enough geologists.” But, the government, he said is not simply relaxed on the issue, but is hoping to establish a mining institution.
Persaud said despite the many mining activities, the country has managed to reduce effects on the environment.
Meanwhile, Guyana’s foreign affairs minister extended a warm welcome to the Canadian minister at her South Road, Georgetown Office. Rodrigues-Birkett said while Guyana exports mainly gold to Canada, there is hope for greater diversification in the area of trade.
She also noted that the fourth round of negotiations on the Caricom proposed trade and investment agreement with Canada concluded last month. “Hopefully, we will be able to work out those unresolved issues…”
Ablonczy was in Guyana on a six-day visit during which she paid several courtesy calls and also visited the Vigilance Community Ground where a government of Canada investment is helping to construct a multi-purpose building in support of the Buxton Youth Developers Literacy, Educational and Recreational Project.
The aim of this project is to empower and motivate young people through literacy, education and recreational activities. Minister Ablonczy feels that it is important to keep strong ties with countries in the Americas and that Guyana and Canada share a strong bilateral relationship that is developing quickly and economic opportunities are increasing.
Ablonczy was first elected to the House of Commons in 1993 and re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011. She was appointed secretary of state (small business and tourism) in August 2007 and then minister of state (small business and tourism) in August 2007, followed by minster of state (small business and tourism) in October 2008. In January 2010, she was appointed minister of state of foreign affairs (Americas and consular affairs).
She previously served as parliamentary secretary to the minister of finance. Albonczy has been a member of several committees of the House of Commons, including the standing committees on citizenship and immigration, human resources development and the status of persons with disabilities, and health. She has also served on the House of Commons Finance Committee.