WWF plugs Gy$12M into environmental management for Guyana’s gold sector

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry signed a grant agreement for the release of Gy$12 million to support capacity building in environment management in Guyana’s gold mining sector.
On Monday, at the ministry’s Brickdam office, WWF Grants Manager Tonia Newton handed over a cheque to the tune of Gy$5.83 million to the Natural Resources Ministry in the presence of subject minister Robert Persaud. The money is the first tranche of the Gy$12 million grant.
WWF Guianas Country Manager Dr Patrick Williams said the project, which will be led by the ministry but executed by Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), has three components.
“The first one is training for miners and new entrants into the mining sector; number two, upgrading of the codes of practice in the mining sector, and the last component will address issues relating to the distribution of mercury.” The project is slated to be completed within one year.
Dr Williams said under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the WWF is working to extend a global ban on the use of mercury, noting that Guyana should buy into the initiative. He posited that consideration must be given to the negative effects on the environment and human population if care is not taken with the use of mercury.
Persaud expressed gratitude to the WWF for its continuous support. He said the project, which focuses on capacity building through training and awareness activities, will “bring about more sustainable mining”.
However, he posited that Guyana cannot afford to ban the use of mercury immediately, thus, “At this point in time… we are working towards a gradual reduction in the use of mercury in the mining sector.”
Mercury, he said plays an important role in alluvial mining, but made clear that the country promotes usage in a very safe and environmentally-friendly way.
In agreement with the Latin American and Caribbean Grouping, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has agreed to phase out the use of mercury within a 10-year period. He said even as the National Action Plan is being structured to tackle the issue, the ministry is engaging international partners in its move to promote mercury-free technology.
However, he emphasised the need for a collective approach on the local arena.
“It has to be done in partnership and that is why we have started to provide incentive for mercury-free technology, which is why we see miners themselves moving into that direction. Some of the studies done and the track record of some of the equipment that have been brought have recovery within 90 per cent or there about, so the miners themselves have seen the wisdom in moving away from mercury.”
Revolving fund
He said the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) are exploring the possibility of establishing a revolving fund where persons, especially small miners can be able to access finance to purchase mercury-free technology.
Already, the GGMC has acquired mercury-free equipment and within the next two weeks, the commission will be conducting field testing before it demonstrates to miners how the machines operate and the positives that can be derived from the use of such technology.
GGDMA representative William Woolford endorsed both the capacity-building project and the phasing out of mercury. Turning his attention to the phasing out of mercury, Woolford underscored the importance of partnership, sensitisation and training in the process.