GGDMA urges strict compliance, backs small miners to boost gold declarations

Managing Director of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Avalon Jagnandan, has reminded miners that strict adherence to the mining regulations must become the norm and reiterated the association’s call for miners to sell their gold only to legitimate buyers and the Guyana Gold Board.

He made this statement against the backdrop that the association remains committed to the sustainability and growth of the local mining sector, noting that they are actively pushing for increased production and declarations.

This call was also echoed by the Vice President of the GGDMA, Dabria Marcus, who said this is an ongoing exercise aimed at helping miners re-enter the industry. He noted that the GGDMA is playing its part in responding to President Irfaan Ali’s call to expand the sector.

Marcus also urged miners to operate in the best interest of the country by becoming fully compliant and declaring all their production. He called on all miners to join the association, emphasizing that the association is for all miners.

However, the GGDMA continues its assistance program to help small miners re-enter the industry and expand operations by handing over essential mining equipment to two small-scale miners.

The donation was made to the Jackman family. The association states that the Jackman family, a small mining family, has encountered hard times. The committee of management, consisting of the president and executives, decided to help this family by outfitting them with equipment to get back to work.

The Jackmans thanked the association for their assistance and promised to operate in a fully compliant manner; the GGDMA will monitor their declarations and operations via reporting.

As a condition for receiving assistance, all small miners receiving the items are required to provide evidence of their gold declarations at the end of the year, ensuring that this investment directly contributes to formal sector reporting and regulatory adherence.

The miners were reminded that they must sell their gold to the Guyana Gold Board or licensed buyers and keep all their records as evidence.

The GGDMA believes that empowering miners with tools and promoting compliance are interdependent pillars for a robust and sustainable future.