Govt. agencies to tackle pollution in mining districts

Oct 09, 2015 News

An inter-agency collaborative approach is being pursued to address pollution within the mining districts as the Government moves to regulate the sector.

Authorities have announced a collaborative approach to tackle pollution in gold mining areas.

Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, who has oversight for the natural resources sector, explained that collaboration has begun with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ministry of Communities among others, to ensure that there will be a cohesive approach in this matter. “We speak about a green economy, and therefore we have to see the environment as a friend, the provider of our livelihood, so by destroying, disrespecting, degrading it, we are not helping ourselves. We would like to see mining and forestry (activities) that are sustainable to the environment, so as we get reports we act,” Trotman told government media.
The Minister believes that it is not good planning to have just the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) react to an issue and without consultation with other agencies and stakeholders, as “everything has to be seen as part of a continuous chain, we all have a role to play.”
With regard to the role of Mining and Environmental Officers, who are the first responders to issues on the ground in the various mining districts, Minister Trotman has advised that they will be more empowered to act.
“We are currently reviewing the laws to ensure enforcement of environmental regulations. As it is now, environmental officers lack certain powers to enforce the laws, so we are actually reviewing the laws to give them stronger powers.”
Minister Trotman is of the view that these officers need to act in conformity with the regulations and laws under which they operate, in order to effectively execute their functions.
“We want to ensure that mining officers are given the respect they deserve, and they are allowed to function within the meaning of the Act, to enforce the laws and carry themselves with respect. You don’t command respect unless you are deserving of it, so we are putting emphasis on that.”
The GGMC oversees the mining industry in Guyana, and over the years has been implementing modern mining practices and codes of operation.
In recent years, as gold prices surge to record levels on the world market, mining activities have seen a resurgence in Guyana.
However, Guyana’s vastness and difficult terrain have been proving a difficult task for GGMC and its officers to monitor.
There have been a number of pit cave-in deaths in recent years as well as calls for stronger regulations to protect the environment.