A number of reforms are being introduced at the Guyana Gold Board [GGB] and at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission [GGDMA]. One such reform is the charging of a processing fee of $2,500 for every ounce of gold processed at the Gold Board only. This move, according to Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, was agreed upon between the Ministry, the GGB and the GGDMA.
But even more measures are afoot. “Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, we are unveiling carefully and methodically, the Syndicates initiative that is being spearheaded by Minister Simona Broomes,” said Minister Trotman. Through this initiative, he explained that hundreds of Guyanese men and women who were either denied access to lands or came under the harsh conditions of a “landlord” can now band together in a cooperative way and access lands and the synergies and economies that evolve from working together.
Fifteen Syndicates will be given in the first instance, 12,000 acres of land each to give a combined area of green Guyana land of 180,000 acres of land. “To put this into context, we are speaking of 281 square miles. Barbados, a place we are all familiar with, is just 170 square miles,” said the Natural Resources Minister.
The Minister assured that GGMC is working assiduously to ensure that by the end of the month the lands will be available for distribution and “I am awaiting the opportunity to sign the “special order” to this effect.”