| Government has unveiled plans to use satellite imagery and quick army response to target illegal mining.The announcement was made Monday by Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud, as Mining Week 2013 swung in full gear with the start of the country’s 10th National Mining and Quarrying Conferenceþ at the Guyana International Convention Centre.In the midst of some of the best years for gold mining as prices remain on a high on the world market,Brad Richards Red Wings Jersey, Guyana badly wants a repeat of the 2012 good showing which was a major booster of the economy.“The increase in the overall value of mineral production was due to the continued outstanding performance of gold and bauxite, high gold prices, favourable bauxite prices and increases in output of sand and loam,” Persaud told the gathering of miners and key industry players.Over the weekend, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) appealed for Government to consider lowering the taxes on imported fuel, and for duty free concessions on double-cab pickups as part of the measures to lower operational costs. They also asked for the fast-tracking of gun licences and work permits for employees.Addressing the calls for concessions on double-cab pickups, Minister Persaud, said that a revised proposal,Andre Branch Dolphins Jersey, which was done by the GGDMA will be studied by the Minister of Finance. However,NFL Jerseys From China, there will be conditions, including miners being mandated to declare a minimum amount.Regarding miners wanting to be paid in foreign currency by the Guyana Gold Board,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, Persaud said a proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Bank of Guyana for consideration.Government,NFL Jerseys Cheap, it was disclosed, was also considering allowing GGDMA to import fuel for miners as part of the cost cutting measures.In the area of security, with significant numbers of murders and crimes reported almost daily in the interior, the Minister said that considerations are also being given to the granting of firearm licences to miners, the establishment of security checkpoints or “chokepoints” in the mining districts, an increased police presence, clampdown in Trafficking In Persons and prostitution and on drug use.The issue of raiding and illegal mining was raised.“Our efforts to curb illegal mining are at times restricted by the abuse of recourse to the judiciary. During the period of the injunction, the illegal mining is often continued by the raiders. In the past, a reasonable time frame was granted for GGMC to respond and show “just cause” why an injunction filed should not be allowed.”The Ministry is working with the Chancellor of the Judiciary to address these,Fernando Rodney Jersey, Persaud disclosed.Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (IAST), Dr. Suresh Narine, delivered a presentation on the use of activated carbon from coconut shells as an alternative to mercury. Mercury is banned in many countries but is still used in Guyana and most of the developing world. However, Government aims to gradually phase out its use by 2020 because of the danger to health it poses. He said that there is no large scale operation in Guyana that utilies the shells for energy. The shells are carbonised to charcoal in a kiln, it is then sifted, and steam activated into granulated carbon. The gold-cyanide slurry is then passed through an activated carbon-filled tank or column. The gold adsorbed on the activated carbon is recovered from the carbon by elution, typically with a hot caustic aqueous cyanide solution. This method would give miners over 90 percent recovery, he said.Mining Week 2013 is being held under the theme “Clean Green and Responsible; Securing the Future of Mining.” |
