‘Mine Reclamation is the law, must be actively pursued’ – GGMC Commissioner,
─Stakeholders meet to discuss progress thus far
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday July 30, 2019
Approximately 44 acres of land has been reclaimed by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission following mining exercises; either by abandonment or mine closure. According to GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison, Mine Reclamation is the law and therefore must be actively pursued.
GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison.
Mine reclamation is the process of restoring land that has been mined to a natural or economically usable state.
Earlier today, the Environmental Division of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission held a stakeholder meeting to discuss plans for moving forward with regards to “Mine Reclamation”. The division has been actively pursuing this initiative as a matter of responsibility under its mandate.
Leading the discussion, GGMC Commissioner, Newell Dennison, reminded stakeholders of the need to restore and protect the environment.
“I am extremely pleased that all of you in attendance today are joining in this occasion to plant the seed, spread the word and have positive outcomes from these efforts.” … “We cannot mine without disturbing the environment, and the whole idea of this objective was among other things to scientifically manage the aspects from the end of mining to the reclaiming of areas, mapping of same and creating a blueprint so to speak that could be replicated throughout our affected landscapes.” Mr. Dennison stated.
Although the process of reclamation occurs once mining is completed, the planning of the reclamation activities should occur before a mine is granted or extraction begun. In this regard, Mr. Dennison praised the GGMC’s Environmental Division on the work done thus far in promoting “mine reclamation”
“I have had a happy look at the promotional, informational, educative products that will be rolled out today. These serving products are well aligned to the green state agenda,” he said.
The GGMC Commissioner said today’s exercise and others held by the environmental division coincided with the intent of the environmental regulation within the mining legislation, which the GGMC is obligated to pursue.
In the Mining (Amendment) Regulations 2015, which applies to all categories of mining; large, medium and small; 225(1) “subject to 271 (3), every holder of a mining licence, prospecting permit or mining permit shall lodge an environmental bond in Form 19 in the schedule thereof in favour of the commission, for an amount to be determined by the comm8ission.
This means that if or when mining lands were abandoned, the GGMC would use this bond for mine reclamation.
In its “Understanding Mine Reclamation and closure in Guyana” booklet, the GGMC introduces the topic of Mine Reclamation, explains code of conduct, best practices, legislation and plans for moving forward.
