With General and Regional Elections lurking around the bend, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the National Mining Syndicate (NMS) have issued a notice outlining various requirements which they said must met by the political party that hopes to get their support.
The notice is being referred to as a “Manifesto for Mining”, which the entities noted, should be included into the manifesto of political parties that are “serious” about getting miners’ support.
In the notice titled: “Miners in Guyana demand more serious representation and less lip service from political parties”, the entities outlined various requirements which includes: “priority tenders”; a viable, proven replacement to mercury; alternative technology to miners; new roads to access new mining areas; timely issuing of construction and maintenance contracts for interior roads; all-weather roads and bridges that can withstand increase tonnage; enforcement of the Road Users’ Agreement to encourage a culture of responsible use of interior roads; cheaper fuel by reducing duties and taxes; no increase in rental fees for mining lands; greater border control with increased security presence; faster police response times and better support to assist in the reduction of crime and ensure safety in the mining sector; and the continuation of river mining and a clear policy position on river mining in Guyana based on proven scientific and technical studies.
Further to those requirements, the mining bodies are calling for a fresh and pragmatic approach to refining Guyana’s Mining Act and Mining policy.
“The revamping of Guyana’s Mining Act and a repositioning of Guyana’s Mining Policy that sincerely takes into consideration the realities and capabilities of operators in the interior. All policies and regulations must be crafted in full consultation with miners and miners organizations and be must be done by competent experts with real-world mining experience,” the bodies said.
The GGDMA and the NMS urged that political parties should make contact to give their views on these matters.
“We will facilitate meeting with parties that are willing to discuss our concerns,” the notice concluded.
