[www.inewsguyana.com] – Government will soon be moving to review mining concessions as it seeks to ensure that mining interests are in conformity with the laws and regulations governing the sector.
This is according to Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman who stated that it is not the intention of the Government to look at everything with a suspicious eye and “to say that all concessions were given out in wrong or corrupt ways, but certainly as we are responding to complaints, we will do so (that is, proper reviews).”
The Minister, who has responsibility for the natural resources sector, acknowledged that there have been complaints from persons in mining communities and he is working along with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to have those addressed.
“So this is why a meeting is planned between the Department of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, so that we have one Government policy on Amerindian lands, mining, and forestry. Even as you unveil new towns and townships, we’ve got to have one plan, not several different plans around,” Minister Trotman stated.
![[File Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/mining.jpg)
“There is nothing stopping Amerindians themselves from doing mining within those lands, or as has been the case, they are free to enter into bilateral arrangements with persons or companies, to do mining on their land. But the GGMC (Guyana Geology and Mines Commission) is not allowed to give out permits either to prospect or to mine in any such area, without the consent of the Amerindian community,” said Trotman
