Bauxite production has been steady at the Aroaima/BERMINE mine site in the Berbice River with overall production up to May reaching 788,810 tons, surpassing the target of 733,098 tons.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is now awaiting production figures for June.

Commissioner of the GGMC, Robeson Benn in making this disclosure in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), also stated that the government’s recent move to privatise the management of the Linden Mining Enterprise (LINMINE) under the CAMBIOR agreement is a step towards stabilising bauxite production. However, GINA reported that Benn acknowledged there have been difficulties in the mining sector, particularly with bauxite production at LINMINE.

GINA noted that the mining industry accounts for a quarter of Guyana’s exports, and is a vital arm of the economy despite the decline in the bauxite industry which once enjoyed a sizeable share of the world market.

Meanwhile, gold declaration by small and medium scale miners continues to fall below the anticipated target with just 6,526 ounces in June against an expected 15,275 ounces.

In light of the reported illegal sale of gold in the minefields, which the GGMC says is a source of the poor declaration, the Commission is to step up efforts to implement improved administrative oversight in the fields, GINA reported.

It said further that Benn has alluded to the institution of measures which could include cease-operation orders or the termination of claims of gold miners whose declarations are false although he noted there may be other factors affecting declaration.

He also observed that there have been instances where charges have been brought against miners whose practices were in contravention of regulations governing the sale of gold, but these have been largely settled out of court.

Asked whether the GGMC had an adequate number of field officers, Benn told GINA that the Commission maintains a high level of field occupancy, but there is need for training and assertiveness among officers in conducting field checks.