Ramp up declarations to meet 2025 national targets – GGDMA urges miners

…reiterates call to sell only to licensed dealers or the Gold Board

Georgetown, Guyana ( 2025/12/05) The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association
(GGDMA) is once again issuing an urgent call to all miners to intensify their efforts to meet the 2025 national gold declaration targets. The Association reminds miners that the sustainability of the sector relies on compliance, transparency, and the rejection of illicit trading channels.

The GGDMA reminds all miners that gold MUST only be sold to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or to authorized buyers. Authorized buyers are strictly defined as Dealers licensed by the GGB and Licensed Traders in gold as approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Miners are strongly advised to avoid “roving traders” or illegal landings, where illegal gold buyers set up shop to buy directly from unethical miners without any paper trail. These unregulated channels are often linked to gold smuggling operations, which result in massive losses of taxes and royalties to the state and have been linked to other nefarious activities.

Additionally, miners are also reminded to keep copies of their transactions, including all
receipts. This will serve to protect their interests and ensure their contributions to the national economy are recorded, the GGDMA advises miners of the following protocols when transacting business:

 Demand Documentation: Whenever selling gold to licensed buyers, miners must ensure that proper documentation for the transaction is received.
 Verify Records: It is in the miners’ interest to request a periodic statement of their
transactions from the Licensed Gold Dealer.
 Cross-Check with GGB: This statement should be taken to the GGB to ensure it concurs with the gold dealer’s records presented to the GGB.
 Secure Tax Payments: This verification is vital as it ensures that the gold is properly
accounted for and that taxes are being correctly paid to the Government.

We urge all miners to check the validity of buyers before selling. A list of approved dealers can be found on the Guyana Gold Board website:
https://ggb.gov.gy/documentations/dealers-declarations-2020/

and approved traders on the GGMC website:
https://www.ggmc.gov.gy/ggmc_web/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Active-Trading-Licences-as-at-May-7-2025.pdf

The Association also reminds miners that it is illegal to pay workers with gold and miners must not allow, for what is commonly referred to as, the “Blai box”. Gold can only be used as transactions with approved buyers and the Guyana Gold board.

The GGDMA calls on all legitimate small and medium-scale miners to separate themselves from “rogue elements” and criminals who falsely identify themselves as small miners. Illegal mining and smuggling has no place in Guyana.

The GGDMA, therefore, reminds miners that it is part of their responsibility to ensure fair and true declarations, increase production, and work with the government to reduce illegal
operations in the sector.

Since the current administration has reinstated incentives beneficial to the industry, it is
imperative that miners reciprocate by ensuring full declarations. The Association remains
committed to supporting the Government in taking necessary actions to increase production and declarations while curbing smuggling.

The GGDMA firmly believes that decisive action is required to stamp out illegal activities that precede smuggling. Illegal mining and the operation of illegal shops fuel other associated illegal activities, and the Association supports the Government’s continued crackdown on these elements.