Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 14, 2014 News
– ‘If it exists we would prosecute the officials”
Opposition Leader Brigadier David Granger has said that Australian Mining company “Troy Resources” should come forward with hard evidence of persons who may be guilty of demanding bribes from them.
According to the Opposition Leader, on Friday, he has read several articles about the company’s claim, but is yet to see anything.
Granger told Kaieteur News that if the evidence is given his party would ensure that the persons involved are prosecuted.
The Australian company has publicly condemned demands by government officials for bribes and inducements to help it get things done here in Guyana.
Recently the Australian Company, Troy Resources, said in a statement that it would not pay any bribes to Government officials and regulators to get things done in relation to a large gold mine it is preparing to open in the west of the country near Venezuela next year.
This is so because it is still subjected to Australian laws on graft, transparency, and corruption whether or not it is at home or outside of its Australian home base.
Recently, Troy also announced that it bought over $1B (US$5M) in heavy equipment from a local supplier.
In a statement issued yesterday and published in at least one newspaper, Troy said that it has taken possession of the first four units of a batch of 12 of 40-tonnes Doosan dump trucks and three excavators purchased from Farm Supplies.
“Troy is currently having locally manufactured beds and equipment supplied for the new accommodation units. Air conditioners and communication equipment are also sourced locally. The procurement of as much material and equipment as possible locally, bearing in mind delivery and price, is in line with the Troy’s philosophy of maximizing the benefits in-country to help grow the economy.”
The mining company also said that it is now sourcing its operators and basic labour force and management team predominantly from Guyana.
“As part of the work force we have a significant number of indigenous people working with us. You may also have seen that we, with the help of the Linden Technical Institute and Farm Supplies, have conducted driver and operator training in anticipation of employing operators for the new mining equipment,” said Chief Executive Officer, Ken Nilsson.
Troy said that it is working with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to set up mining and specialist training courses for the industry. Currently, the first group of company scholarship undergraduates from the University of Guyana has started working.
“Troy is now in a phase of integration with local communities and the Country as a whole, using a recipe which has worked very well in Brazil, Argentina and other locations aiming to help in education, health and safety as well as infrastructure improvements.”
But while the company is serious about its plans for Guyana, falling gold prices to under US$1,300 per ounce, have forced the company to alter its mining plan and schedules in view of new data also.
“Underground mining has been deferred for the time being. Troy is now focusing on extending the open pit reserves as well as exploring the immediate area for which the exploration budget this year is US$15M.”
The Aussie company insisted that the economic impact from its project is large if one considers the effects into the community through salaries, wages, taxes, local purchases of goods and services.
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