Miners see grave jeopardy from new gov't measures -Barama restricting use of roads

http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article?id=56529487

Miners see grave jeopardy from new gov't measures -Barama restricting
use of roads
Stabroek News, Monday, September 24th 2007

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) says the
stringent measures that the Government is placing on the mining
industry have the potential to shut down medium and small scale mining
within six months.

Further, the Association said that Barama Company Limited's restricting
of the use of its Buck Hall road by miners is a step against the
development of hinterland communities and a hindrance to mining.

At a press conference on Saturday at the Cara Lodge Hotel, the
Association said in a statement it is perturbed that major policy
decisions which will affect the livelihood of thousands of Guyanese are
being made without any input from those directly affected by those
decisions.

According to the Association, Prime Minister Sam Hinds told members
that no further licences will be issued in concessions held by Barama.

The Association said that a protocol is being determined for miners to
access roads already built by Barama. "However, further roads, sand
trails etc built by Barama in the future will not be accessible to
miners," the Association said, attributing this revelation to the Prime
Minister.

The Association is of the view that all roads, whether built by a
mining company or a logging company, should be considered public for
the free movement of anyone with legitimate business in the area.
According to the GGDMA, the mining regulations dictate that mining
roads built must not be restricted to access by persons engaged in
other exploits.

Vice President of the GGDMA Norman McLean said that roads built by Omai
Gold Mines Limited and other mining companies are to this day used by
persons travelling to various locations in the mining districts.

Contacted on Saturday, Barama Chairman Girwar Lalaram told Stabroek
News that the company is working on a memorandum of understanding for
the use of its roads with the Government of Guyana and the GGMC. He
said that the company would be furnishing a response to the miners'
concerns later.

The meeting also revealed that the Government has taken a decision that
there will be no dredging operations in the Waini area in the north
west. "Needless to say, the Association is surprised that such
decisions can be taken without any consultation with the mining
community," the statement said.

The Association also noted that Government has appointed a governing
committee for mining and this comprises Robeson Benn, Odinga Lumumba
and Evan Persaud. The Association said that this governing committee's
terms of reference are not known to the miners, "yet is it apparent
that Government seems to be acting on their recommendations."

According to the association, it is concerned that the GGMC has decided
that in future all medium scale permits abandoned or cancelled will be
issued only by way of lottery/auction. It noted that the GGMC had just
completed a lottery exercise at Quartz Hill which was chaotic and
created grave difficulties for most block holders. "Such a system
cannot be introduced permanently without investigating why it is not
working presently and what are the causes," the Association said.

The Association is also concerned over the GGMC proposal to increase
rental payments for medium scale operations, "once again without any
consultation with the stakeholders." The GGDMA is of the view that this
is against the very principle for which medium scale mining was
introduced which was to allow smaller miners to develop without the
financial requirements for large scale mining.

The Association asked why it was that the Government is attempting to
stifle a growing gold and diamond industry at a time when gold prices
are soaring at US$700 per ounce.

A meeting is planned this Friday with the membership of the GGDMA to
decide how to move forward with these issues.

"The Association is convinced that once consulted, we can contribute
meaningfully to any dialogue that allows for decisions which will be
able to fulfil the objectives of the Government, and ensure the
livelihood and welfare of miners in Guyana, and most importantly,
continue to be a major contributor to the economic development of the
country," the Association's statement said.

The GGDMA is requesting a meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo to
understand Government's new policy for mining, so that it will be
accurately communicated to the mining community.

"The Association believes that once the miners' position is known to
His Excellency, when all the pros and cons are laid on the table, a
decision based on empirical data and not subjectivity would be
acceptable to the Government and the mining community," the statement
said.

Among the other concerns that the GGDMA shared was what it referred to
as the unfair policy of mining on Amerindian titled lands. Speaking on
behalf of the GGDMA, its Executive Secretary Edward Shields said that
the Association had no difficulties with Amerindians benefiting from
the mineral resources of the land. But he lamented that all the title
holders have to do is to say "no" and a miner working on Amerindian
titled land must depart with no explanation owed.

"We want a meeting with the Minister of Amerindian Affairs. We have
some miners who have been working for years and have invested money.
Are they going to be compensated?" he asked.

He is of the view that there should be a case made before someone is
made to remove from an Amerindian titled land.