GGMC suspends 107 mining licences, operations for non-compliance

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has announced the immediate suspension of all mining operations and related authorisations for certain operators who have failed to comply with declaration requirements.

In a statement issued on Monday, GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison confirmed that the suspension applies to 107 Brazilian nationals named in a public notice released on January 2 and again on Monday. The suspension will remain in effect until the affected operators engage with the Commission and demonstrate compliance to its satisfaction. According to the statement, the action is being taken without prejudice to further regulatory or enforcement measures.

The move follows directives from President Dr Irfaan Ali, who has called for strict enforcement of gold declaration obligations as part of a broader effort to streamline the mining sector. At a meeting with the Natural Resources Ministry and GGMC leadership on January 2, the President instructed that registered dredges with no declarations be deregistered and that foreign miners operating illegally be identified for prosecution and possible expulsion.

The President highlighted concerns over Brazilian miners who have reported little or no gold production in official declarations. Operators were given 24 hours to comply with the laws governing declarations to the Guyana Gold Board.

The Government, working alongside the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Natural Resources Ministry, aims to ensure that all miners are properly registered, have local bank accounts, and adhere to legal and environmental requirements. GGDMA President Ronaldo Alphonso emphasised the importance of compliance, urging miners to sell gold through legitimate channels to maintain the sector’s sustainability.

President Ali has previously noted that the mining sector required substantial recovery since 2020, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government returned to office. The administration introduced hundreds of billions of dollars in incentives to revive production, including duty-free concessions on fuel, machinery, and equipment, along with tax benefits. Despite rising global gold prices, these incentives continue to support local operations.

The Government has also indicated that mining operations found to misuse declared mercury purchases or fail to declare gold production may face land repossession. The President emphasised that comprehensive assessments of every mining licence and operational decision will continue with strong enforcement actions against non-compliant operators.