In an effort to combat illegal activities within the gold mining sector, President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that a complete assessment will be conducted on January 5, 2026. This initiative highlights the government’s commitment to addressing various challenges in the sector, which he described as requiring urgent attention.
During a recent year-end interview with journalists and students, President Ali elaborated on plans to tighten regulations in the gold mining industry. He stated, “We will link the mercury they buy with their declarations; if they have land they are working on and registered dredges but no declarations, we’re going to repossess those lands. There’s no sense in allowing them to destroy the environment if the land is not in use.”
The President confirmed that the assessment will pave the way for “strong decisions” regarding the future of the sector. Recent weeks have seen government bodies and local mining associations reiterate the rules governing mining, emphasizing that gold must be sold exclusively to the Guyana Gold Board or authorized licensed dealers.
In alignment with these efforts, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had previously stressed the importance of strengthening the gold exportation system and enhancing penalties and charges to combat gold smuggling. He noted that local authorities have made strides in identifying new tactics used by smugglers.
Actions taken include the establishment of a task force responsible for rigorous assessments of gold declarations. The task force, which comprises key officials including the Attorney-General, the Minister of Finance, the Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Governor of the Central Bank, and representatives from the Guyana Gold Board, has been actively identifying loopholes in existing regulations and is working to address these vulnerabilities.
As the January assessment approaches, the government remains committed to promoting sustainable practices in the gold mining sector and ensuring compliance with regulations to protect both the environment and the economy.
