Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, says that the mining industry will not be put on the “back burner” when it comes to the management of Guyana’s extractive industries.
The Minister made this statement at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) 42nd-anniversary celebration on Friday, which was held at GGMC’s headquarters in Brickdam, Georgetown.
“Now that we are an oil-producing nation, we will not put mining at the back or on the back burner,” the Minister stated.
He further added, “we would like to see mining on par with the oil and gas industry, and I believe that as a country, we have the potential to put mining on par with the oil and gas development.”
Minister Bharrat commended the agency and its staff for the efforts made to regulate Guyana’s mining sector.
“I can imagine then there were probably not many roads or pathways to get into certain areas, yet the people before us managed to build the sector and managed to grow it to become one of the most vibrant sectors in our economy today.”
As it relates to the protection and preservation of the environment, the Natural Resources Minister noted that the Government is spearheading a reforestation initiative.
This exercise he said, will reforest 6,000 acres of mined-out lands with Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo saying that the initiative will help to mitigate Guyana’s Carbon footprint.
Further to this, Minister Bharrat highlighted that the Government would be working assiduously to curb illegal mining in Guyana. He pointed out that not only are illegal miners responsible for damaging the environment, but also the loss of revenue to the economy.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of the GGMC, Newell Dennison lauded the agency’s achievements and the steps it has taken to remain relevant.
“I believe that any truly relevant organisation must not remain static in how it goes about its business, but must be prepared to improvise and learn from its mistakes, taking into account that it is our service that matters,” the Commissioner said.
