Guyana Advance Talks on Digital Modernisation of Mining Sector

  • President, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday, March 2, 2026, met with the executive of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), where discussions centred on strengthening governance and advancing the digital transformation of the mining sector.
  • During the engagement, the association commended the government’s forward-looking management of the industry, while President Ali stressed that success in the sector must be matched by full adherence to regulations, including accurate gold declarations and compliance with legal channels such as sales through the Guyana Gold Board, urging all gold miners to make a full declaration of gold produced in 2025 and warning that registered dredges with no declarations will be deregistered and illegal foreign miners identified for prosecution and expulsion.
  • The GGDMA executive expressed its commitment to working closely with the administration to ensure efficiency and transparency, pledging support for modernising mining operations through the integration of digital tools to improve monitoring and reporting, initiatives expected to bolster accountability, streamline processes, enhance productivity, and safeguard future development.
  • The Head of State announced a sweeping package of support measures for small miners, including outreach with commercial banks to bring miners into the formal financial system, reduce dependence on informal credit, and roll out financial literacy programmes in partnership with the Development Bank to help miners better manage savings, understand credit, and build sustainable economic futures.
  • President Ali said the government will pursue and shut down delinquent operators who exploit state incentives while failing to declare gold, overhaul systems that have enabled chronic under-declaration and illegal exports, and noted participation in the meeting by Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, and Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Zulfikar Ally.

(Source: Guyana Chronicle)