Positive feedback from Omai tour
By Shirwin Campbell
Guyana Chronicle
March 21, 2004
A FACTFINDING mission on the operations of Omai Gold Mines Limited, initiated by Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Commerce Manzoor Nadir and led by Omai's Human Resource Officer, Mr. Norman McLean, has received positive feedback at the community level.
Representatives from communities along the Essequibo River, Members of the Bartica Chambers of Commerce and Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) along with senior officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), as well as members of the media, were taken on an extensive tour covering every aspect of the operations and safety systems in place at the mining site.
The tour included a fly-over of the Omai Mines Site.
During an interactive session, Community Health Worker for Aliki on the Essequibo River, Mr. Roy Krieghton noted that he was very pleased with what he saw and promised to return to his community and convey to his fellow villagers that the Company has in place effective health, safety and environmental measures.
Mr. Krieghton echoed the sentiment of others on the visiting team, that the residents in the riverain communities are still of the belief that the slightest problem they encounter "even a scratch" is due to "Omai water".
The tailings dam at the Omai Mines site failed on August 19, 1995, and spilled cyanide into the Omai River, which feeds into the Essequibo River. In the wake of the spill, part of the Essequibo was declared a disaster area, and the life of residents in the nearby communities was affected.
The Community Health Worker said that his greatest regret was that more residents could not have accompanied him to put their fears to rest.
Mr. Richard Bowen, representing several villages, also spoke during the interaction session.
Speaking on behalf of Riversview, Goshen, Foulmouth, Moruka, and Kusawe - a total population of one thousand persons, he said, "the trip was worthwhile."
He lauded the "great improvement" of Omai and added that he is no longer mindful of the ongoing court case. He, however, suggested that the lawyers should sit down and work out the differences.
The initiative has its genesis in Bartica last month where the Minister was approached by residents expressing concerns about Omai' s operations.
In an invited comment during the tour, Minister Nadir congratulated Omai for being the first Mining Company in South America to receive the ISO 1400 Green Dove Award. The Minister pointed out that companies do not get this level of certification easy since it represents the highest at the International level.
Director the Environment Management Division Unit of the EPA, Ms. Eliza Florendo and Head of the GGMC, Mr. Robinson Benn, both expressed their satisfaction at the level of performance by the mining company while explaining the role their companies are playing in monitoring the operations there.
During his interaction with the group, Mr. McLean stated that Omai would like to leave a legacy, and build more infrastructure for other places in need.
He spoke of three Health Centres built by Omai in Riversview, Agatash and Fort Island, and announced plans to do more construction this year.
In response to several similar requests for assistance by several community representatives present, he promised to meet with them shortly for further discussions.
He pointed to the many outreach activities to the surrounding communities through Ambulance and Medical Services, donations of machinery to communities, supplies to school and also facilitating emergency trips to the city.
According to Mr. Mc Lean, the policy of the Omai is that once it is an emergency, a plane is called in and the person or persons flown out immediately.
He added that for every one employee flown to the city, five villagers receive the same benefit.
The Omai Hospital provides treatment to more than 700 residents each year.
He promised to continue to work with all the communities noting that Omai is transparent and open to suggestions and recommendations.