Opening the 2026 Budget Debates this afternoon, Dr. Andre Lewis, Member of Parliament for the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, raised concerns over the Government’s reported gold declarations for 2025. He suggested that the figures may have been inflated to portray a more positive image of the sector’s performance.
In his budget presentation last Monday, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh announced an 11.6% expansion in the gold mining industry, with total gold declarations reaching 484,321 ounces in the preceding year. However, Dr. Lewis contested this claim, asserting that a significant amount of Guyana’s gold is being smuggled, casting doubt on whether the official numbers truly reflect the industry’s state.
“Mr. Speaker, we are aware that there is a common practice by the government of the day to inflate numbers. In fact, we hear reports from miners and dealers that they are being asked to inflate their declarations, which raises questions about the accuracy of the 2025 gold declarations,” Lewis stated.
He highlighted that the current foreign exchange challenges faced by the country are indicative of the gold sector’s struggles and called for enhanced measures to ensure the industry’s sustainability. “If this gold is secured and the revenue is properly managed, we would see a drastic reduction in the cost of living for Guyanese. It would provide immense relief to all Guyanese,” he explained.
Dr. Lewis urged the government to implement immediate and improved border protections, emphasizing the need to safeguard local resources and protect indigenous communities. “We cannot allow our gold to build other nations and individuals while people suffer right here in Guyana,” he added.
He also indicated that if the reported 484,000 ounces of gold were indeed declared last year, small and medium-scale miners accounted for over 75% of that total, while large foreign mining companies reported less. He described these small miners as the “lifeblood of our interior,” lamenting that they are being undermined by illegal operations.
“Mr. Speaker, the Zijin company, a Chinese-owned enterprise, continues to exploit Guyana’s wealth while underpaying local workers who endure terrible working conditions, causing excessive land damage, deforestation, and pollution,” Dr. Lewis asserted.
He concluded his remarks by urging the government to explore methods of stabilizing the foreign currency market, calling attention to the overall economic necessity of safeguarding Guyana’s gold sector for the benefit of all citizens.
