Min. Broomes mediates solution between Moblissa residents and loam mining contractor
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DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, February 15, 2018
Residents of Moblissa and AG Mining will meet with Region 10’s regional officials to determine how the loam mining contractor can contribute to the community’s development.
Minister Simona Broomes addressing residents.
This decision was made today following intervention by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes. The Minister met with concerned residents, company representatives and regional officials today in the Linden/Soesdyke community.
AG Mining began operating a loam pit in Moblissa six months ago, raising concerns by residents about how the operation will benefit the community.
Minister Broomes apologised to the residents noting there was a failure on the part of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to properly inform the community that a licence was issued for loam mining in their community.
“Consultation must be done. It is not only what is written in the book. You have persons living in the community and … once strange people are coming into your community you ought to know. You should be informed and I’m saying the way we did business then we would not do it now,” Minister Broomes assured the residents.
Chair of the Moblissa Community Development Council (CDC) group, Auther Reynolds, said the district would like to see financial benefits towards the community’s development from the operation.
Chair of Moblissa CDC, Auther Reynolds.
Residents are also asking for members of the community to be employed by the company, to monitor trucks entering and leaving the community and support in infrastructural development.
“The company needs to support the Community Development Council in fixing the road from the junction to the creek…the contractor must replant the area in keeping with the government’s view of the green economy,” Reynolds said.
As part of its licencing agreement with the GGMC, AG Mining has to reclaim mined-out lands. Minister Broomes said the community can work along with the company on the types of plants that can be planted following the reclamation.
AG Mining readily agreed to meet and work out the terms of its contribution to the community’s development. The community and company representatives will meet in the Chairman’s office next Monday in the region.
By: Tiffny Rhodius
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