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 min