Minister Broomes to recommend training for sandpit operators
─ minister to speak with GGMC’s commissioner
DPI, GUYANA, Tuesday, July 31, 2018
For the first time, sandpit operators could receive formal training from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) as part of reforming quarrying operations.
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, said she will be speaking with the Commissioner of the GGMC to facilitate the training which will include setting up safe operations and calculations for quantities extracted.
This was among the issues discussed today between the minister, sandpit operators and holders of license and officials of GGMC at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Duke Street.
“I’m going to recommend that when we go onsite at these pits the [GGMC] officers talk to the persons on the ground [explaining] what we are measuring and doing so even practically on the ground they can start to have some training in that regard,” Minister Broomes said.
The meeting is a follow-up to visits the minister made to sandpits along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
She is leading efforts to ensure greater compliance in the quarrying sector and is also seeking to have outstanding royalties, which are owed to GGMC, paid. The GGMC is mulling reintroducing a monthly payment system, according to Acting Mines, Manager Krishna Ramdass.
Ramdass explained the GGMC sold payment books to operators “and they would use slips … what that really did was to at the end of the month redeem that book to GGMC and pay off that royalty”.
Many of the quarry operators the minister met with, agreed to work with the ministry to ensure greater compliance in their operations. There is also a proposal for the ministry and GGMC to meet with operators on a regular basis.
The inspections of sand and loam pits are to gather a “comprehensive overlook” of the sector as part of efforts towards ensuring the GGMC is better equipped to monitor, enforce and recover costs in the quarrying sector.
By: Tiffny Rhodius
Images: Kawise Wishart