By Kurt Campbell
This registers the administration’s dedication towards the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the Reduced Emissions from deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) initiative.
He said his Ministry and other monitoring agencies have begun using technology that indicates where mining is ongoing in interior locations and deforestation occurring.
Persaud told the House that talks have commenced with private aircraft owners to fit their aircraft with monitoring devices as a means of monitoring related activity.
As it relates to action on the ground, the Minister said more human resources will be placed on the ground and stations will be constructed to manage mining activities among other initiatives.
“This government is committed to managing deforestation and ensuring sustainable and responsible mining even as we continue to expand the industry,” the Minister said.
Persaud said too that action was also being taken against the social issues ranging from trafficking in Persons (TIP) to substance abuse.
He said the gold and mining sector by extension is an emerging sector but remains critical and central to the economy and fostering economic stability.
In this regard he recognized the contribution of small medium scale miners, adding that the diamond and quarrying industries have done well over the last year as well.
The Minister reminded however that the prosperity of these industries are not without challenges and said the administration is doing its best to confront these challenges in moving the industry forward.
Persaud reminded of efforts to ensure the use of clean and new technology in mining and the phasing out of mercury.
