South African delegation in Guyana to explore areas of mutual interests
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─ possible collaboration in mining
─ possible overseas training for GGMC and ministry staff
DPI, Guyana, Monday, February 25, 2019
The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Natural Resources from February 24 to March 2, 2019, will be hosting the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources of South Africa, Godfrey Oliphant, and a delegation, to explore areas for possible collaboration between Guyana and South Africa.
The South African delegation met for official introductions and discussions with Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and his team this morning at the ministry.
The South African team is in Guyana following an invitation by the Guyana government.
Following discussions, Minister Trotman told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that there are three areas of interest government will be exploring.
“Training, of course, South Africa is a very large, complex and exciting place, but it brings experiences of how they have overcome some of the challenges that we are facing. So, we hope to expose our staff at the GGMC and the Gold Board and, of course, at the policy level to being able to experience first world training opportunities” Minister Trotman explained.
He said that the government also hopes to deepen exchanges between the two countries;
“At a government to government level, where staff from the GGMC will be able to relate to their counterparts in South Africa, at least southern Africa.” Adding that he believed South Africa’s experience in mining would be useful to Guyana. “We would want to invite investment from South Africa to Guyana… We believe that financially [South Africa] has a wear-with-all and experience in mining; gold and diamond in particular and it is important that we not look only to the west in so far as mining is concerned.”
In the meantime, Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources of South Africa, Godfrey Oliphant said he was happy to be invited to Guyana to explore opportunities for economic collaboration.
“South Africa is a very huge mining country, we have been mining in that country for over a hundred and fifty years, we have what it takes; the experience, the knowledge, the skills and we are still going to mine for the next hundred years,” the South African Minister said.
Minister Oliphant added that he was glad to collaborate and lend his country’s expertise. “Last year when we got the invitation, we couldn’t come then, but here we are today to share experiences, also to learn from your beautiful country.”
During the one-week visit, the delegation will be taken on tours to various parts of Guyana, such as the Kaieteur National Park and the Iwokrama rainforest.
Felecia Valenzuela.
Images: Keno George.