Government of Guyana to Push for Guyana Gold Fields Inc. underground mining development project

The Government of Guyana welcomes the planned underground mining project to be undertaken by Canadian-based company, Guyana Gold Fields Inc. as one of the flagship projects in the natural resources sector for 2019. The other flagship projects are bauxite mining at Bonasika in Region 3 and manganese mining in Matthews Ridge, Region 1.

The Government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, and agencies, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, is expertly reviewing the company’s plan to advance the underground exploration to potentially upgrade and expand the current resource and unlock the Aurora deposit’s full potential.

Aurora has a total gold resource of 6.25 million ounces of gold in the measured and indicated categories, as well as an additional 1.79 million ounces in the inferred category. The prospective underground operations are aimed at extracting more than 2 million ounces.

The mine plan has since been approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the sister Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has rightly called for an updated Environmental Impact Assessment to ensure an underground mining operation of world-class specifications. All indications are that this review process is proceeding well.

In passing the Government takes serious note of the internal issues within the company and is concerned about the negative impact on the company’s production and overall wellbeing and places on record its expectation that these internal matters will be resolved soonest and in the best interest of all.

The Government continues to recognize the great role mining plays in our nation’s social and economic development. In this sense, the GOG will continue to promote the sustainable use of our country’s natural resources noting that it will aid in the creation of jobs and enhance sustainable investments in all aspects of our society.

Public Affairs and Communications Unit (PAU)                                                                                                                               

Ministry of Natural Resources