Amerindian/Forestry Act undermines mining legislation - GGDMA

Amerindian/Forestry Act undermines
mining legislation - GGDMA
Kaieteur news, 29 september 2007

Following the recent decision by Government as it relates the mining sector,
yesterday, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) met with the
affected miners to formally notify them.

According to GGDMA Executive Director, Edward Shields, the entity was ambushed
by the decision and with no formal notification of the verdict.

One of the issues that seemed to have affected the miners most was the fact
that, ?Sections (two pages) of the Amerindian Act have thrown out the mining
legislation and regulation,? said Shields.

The Forestry Act was also cited as a piece of legislation that appeared to be
hampering the sovereignty of the Mining Act.

He also recounted incidents that saw notification to vacate being issued to
miners by Amerindian villages, a scenario that Shields condemned stating that
the GGDMA was the only body that could issue cease orders to miners.

He said that the miners had requested a meeting with Amerindian Affairs
Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues, to have the concern resolved. This meeting would
be convened in the coming month.

Former head of the GGDMA, Edward Hopkinson, declared to the miners present that
Amerindians had no right to the gold and diamonds given that they did not own
it, that it belongs to the state.

Another issue raised as a hindrance to the mining sector was the fact that a new
regulation has been drafted without any consultations, a move that the GGDMA has
been attempting to bar but according to Shields given the recent revelations
that might be in vain.

Carbon credits were also identified as a hindrance to the sector given that for
the scheme to work trees have to remain standing.

?Sometimes we have to cut trees to mine,? said Shields.

The emergency meeting was called prior to the bi-monthly meeting given the
recent announcements that the administration had adopted several measures that
may see the disappearance of small and medium scale mining.