With the oil industry facing significant hardships at this point, the gold sector is once again being looked at to provide much needed support. While the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) understands this state of affairs, the Association noted in a missive to the media today that better measures against the novel corovavirus in Region Nine are needed. Just four days ago, the Region recorded its first case. There are also concerns about Region Nine’s proximity to Brazil which has over 200,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Even as it joined calls for measures to be increased, the Association expressed thanks for the assistance and support of the Region Nine Chairman, Bryan Allicock, in helping its members to continue their operations. GGDMA also said it stands in support of the miners who live and work in the various villages in the Rupununi while noting that it supports the right of the villages to put in additional control measures to prevent illegal operators from breaching the rules of social distancing and quarantine.
The Association also urged all miners to take full precautions to ensure that they minimise exposure and interaction with local residents.
