2011 gold production surpassed target - Minister Persaud
Written by Kwesi Isles
Thursday, 29 December 2011 21:34
Guyana has surpassed its 2011 gold production target recording some 350,000 ounces declared in a year that has seen record prices offered for the precious metal, according to information from newly-minted Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud.
He made the announcement at a news conference on Thursday at his ministry in the Office of the President.
"Gold production yesterday (Wednesday) was 350,000 ounces, surpassing the target by a significant amount, 30,000 ounces, and that is declared and not necessarily production,” Persaud noted.
He added that there is a sizable amount of production not being declared with even the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) expressing concern.
Gold declaration recorded for 2010 was pegged at 308,438 ounces, a 2.9 percent increase on the previous year’s figure.
Gold peaked at US$1,920 per ounce in September and has since fallen to below $1,700 but along with the explosion in prices has come rampant criminality in the interior mining districts. According to Persaud, it is a concern to both the government and the industry.
“Gold attracts the good and bad because the criminal elements know that there’re gold mining activities and there’s a high incentive for them perhaps to go raid camps and even to intercept persons. Unfortunately we’ve seen the loss of lives in this regard,” he said.
The minister noted that prior to him assuming the Natural Resources portfolio the Prime Minister, the Home Affairs Minister, the GGDMA, the police and the army were meeting to hammer out a coordinated security approach.
“We intend to continue that and even to look at some innovative ways, getting the miners themselves involved too in terms of security because if you look at the reach of our security forces and you look where mining is taking place, it’s sometimes far away from police locations, police outposts depending on the areas where we mine.
We will also have to talk to the Guyana Police Force to perhaps looking at establishing temporary even permanent outposts in this regard,” Persaud stated.
He added that the policing of these areas will have to be reorganized.
“The Chairman of the GGMC, former chief of staff Joe Singh himself is taking the lead at the board level but also in engaging stakeholders in this regard,” the minister said.
The Guyana Police Force for its part has commented on the growing level of criminality in the hinterland areas and responding to concerns from the GGDMA recently stated that it has been sending teams into the interior to support those ranks already on the ground.
According to the force, it has also been doing roving air, terrestrial and riverain patrols. Additionally, it noted that several miners have been granted permission to have guards established with Supernumerary status and also individual firearm licences.
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