Woolford from ggmc no register of small miners is

estimate of Mr. Woolford from GGMC. No register of small miners is available in Guyana. Gold
production from artisanal miners was 2.8 tonnes (90,000 oz) in 1994, 3.1 tonnes (99,000 tonnes) in 1995
and 3.4 tonnes (110,000 oz) in 1996.
With the growing world-wide concern for the environment in recent years, the government of Guyana has
placed a high priority on environmental issues. Although dredge mining operations are generally being
conducted on a small scale and in remote areas, GGMC recognized the need to minimize the adverse
effect of the current mining activities
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Guyana’s new Mining Act came into force in July 1991. While no general or specific provision is made
for prevention of pollution or protection of the environment, the broad general framework providing for
the granting of mining permits and claim licenses would enable inclusion of environmental protection
provisions as conditions to obtain such permits. In addition GGMC is empowered to give directions to
miners on matters of safety and good mining practice and they are obligated to comply promptly with
such directions.
Dredging operations are concentrated on Essequibo river and its tributaries:
 the Mazaruni river and its tributaries, the Cuyuni, Puruni, Semang, Eping, Kurupung and Meamu
rivers.
 the Potaro river and its tributaries, the Kuribrong river.
 the Konawaruk river
Mercury is used in Guyana gold mining operations to extract gold from the final concentrate produced in
the gravity separation process. Mercury is added to a bucket containing the final concentrate and water.
Amalgamation occurs as the gold and mercury are brought into contact by hand mixing the contents of the
bucket. Approximately 14 grams of mercury are required to amalgamate 1 kg of concentrate (ratio
Hg:conc.=1:70). The resulting amalgam is squeezed through a fine cloth to remove the excess mercury
which is re-bottled and used again. The gold-mercury amalgam is then heated in a tin over a fire or
blowtorch until the mercury vaporizes. Occupational exposure is obviously a very serious concern.
The GGMC considers unlikely the possibility of serious environmental contamination of the rivers
because of the type, size and distribution of the gold mining in Guyana. According to GGMC,
contamination, if it is occurring, is most likely localized. Nevertheless, any increase in alluvial mining
activity during the next years, which seems inevitable following the development of the “missile mining”
technique (suction/eductor dredge mining using a winch to manipulate the tapered suction end on the river
bed) will need to be monitored. The government recognizes that the artisanal miners cannot afford
sophisticated environmental impact assessment reports or advanced mineral processing equipment. In
order to provide help to the small miners to implement environmental management and control
procedures, the government has already accepted that it must provide:
1. Technical assistance through establishment of research centers and technical advisory services for
small miners.