GGDMA PRESS RELEASE ON SOLIDARITY WITH MINING PARTNERS.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association [GGDMA] values the emerging partnerships among the small, medium and large-scale gold miners in Guyana.  The GGDMA stands for the fair and equitable treatment of all Investors in the mining industry, whether foreign or local, whether small medium or large.

We recognise that the operations of Troy Resources in Kaburi and Guyana Goldfields Inc. / Aurora Gold Mines bring a level of quality which our small and medium scale miners would do well to emulate. In this regard we commend these large companies for the social management and environmental management which is among the best in Guyana.

In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health record is simply outstanding and we encourage them to continue this good work. We commend Troy and Guyana Gold Fields Inc. / Aurora Gold Mines on their high level of gold production recorded at a recovery rate consistently above 90%. Even though the small and medium scale miners produced more gold in aggregate than these two large mining companies, it was at a mere 30 – 40%recovery rate. We believe that small and medium scale miners will continue to improve especially as the large companies set the pace in exploration, excavation, processing and environmental management.

As we affirm this partnership we call on the government to provide increased technical assistance, education and training, and financial inputs to move the small and medium scale gold miners forward at a faster pace. GGDMA gives the assurance that the partnership of small, medium and large-scale gold miners will achieve gold production of over one million ounces annually from 2020 if government provides the requested assistance.

The GGDMA encourages greater investment, both local and foreign, in the gold and diamond mining sector of Guyana. We salute those who mobilised investment dollars into mining in Guyana as they are convinced that the investment climate though not perfect is acceptable. GGDMA is pleased that government provided the necessary support when possible to aid in the success of the ventures. We call on small, medium and large-scale mining operators to be faithful to the terms of their Agreements. GGDMA thanks Troy Resources and Guyana Goldfields/Aurora Gold Mines for their sterling efforts and we declare our continued support as they proceed with expansion plans.

The GGDMA thanks the small and medium scale miners for the good work over the years, as we continue to declare our support for each of them. We celebrate our partnerships in the gold and diamond mining sector.