By Leonard GildarieGuyana Goldfields Inc., a Canadian company, is set to start large-scale mining operations this year at Aurora, Region Seven.In the past weeks we examined various aspects of the gold sector. From the rise when prices climbed to US$1900 per ounce, and the worrying drop, we have attempted from a layman’s perspective to bring the spotlight on an industry that has made many rich and, more than a few, heartbroken.The vagaries of the market would make the sector a classic study case for a student.The ‘gold bush’ is terribly beautiful and dangerous place that continues to draw fortune seekers by the hundreds.This week we will focus on what Government has been saying with regards to the measures it has taken to help steady the sector.As we speak, the issue has also started to attract the attention of the Opposition, with APNU stating that it lends support for miners.According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, Guyana’s gold mining sector has a sound footing and continues to grow. However,Wholesale Jerseys, it is vulnerable to international market conditions, like prices.The ministry acknowledged that the sector has been a major catalyst for economic growth in recent years. The rise in price on the world market has consistently helped in increasing declaration over the last decade.“The importance of the gold mining sector to our economy cannot be over-emphasized since gold has been the largest earner of foreign revenue for the last seven years,” the Ministry said.The Ministry made it clear that it has not stood idly by. Rather, through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) with collaboration with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), several areas have been identified aimed at ensuring that the sector remains viable.TAX WAIVERSAn Inter-Ministerial Task Force was created to undertake specific interventions aimed at supporting and streamlining the sector.The interventions include duty free waivers on spares and equipment. According to the Ministry, a list of 19 suppliers of mining equipment and spares were approved for tax waivers. This is aimed to reduce the cost of spares and critical supplies for miners and is an addition to other items like pumps, flexes, and mattings.Based on requests, Government has also granted a fuel licence to GGDMA. The association is reportedly still to start importing, although it was granted the licence last year.It is unclear what happens now that the oil price has dropped significantly on the world market but is not fully filtering down in Guyana because of the current fuel tax in place.Also in place is what is called a Mercury Free Mining Development Fund. According to the ministry, stakeholders of the sector are fully aware of the need to increase gold recoveries and eliminate the use of mercury in the gold extraction process. The ministry argued that the adoption and use of mercury-free and improved recovery technologies is even more critical now given the low gold prices experienced by the sector.The Mercury Free Mining Development Fund with a $1B startup is aimed at promoting such technologies, the Ministry said. Already work has started between the miners association and GGMC to test mercury-free technologies. Any new technology will have to ensure greater recoveries,Jerseys NFL China, reduced costs, increased revenues and ultimately a sustainable gold mining sector.According to the Ministry, it is also continuing to examine different ways to maintain the many miles of hinterland roads. This is against the background that monies and other resources are limited.ROAD MAINTENANCE“In pursuit of this, a combination of approaches was undertaken. GGMC is currently reviewing feasible road designs and construction methods that can be adopted bearing the constraint of financial resources in mind. Simultaneously, efforts are being made to implement Road Users’ Agreement for specific heavily traversed roads that are prone to destruction,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, since it is recognized that heavy usage of the road in wet conditions lead to damage and require continuous rehabilitation at significant cost.”The Ministry insisted that the expenditure of funds on hinterland infrastructure is as a result of a collaborative effort with the key stakeholder, GGDMA. As a matter of fact, last year, the miners association provided a list of hinterland infrastructure for rehabilitation that it deemed critical. “These roads/bridges were rehabilitated and the same approach will be undertaken in 2015 whereby GGDMA will provide its considerable insight on areas for special focus.”Also duty free concessions were granted on all terrain vehicles (ATVs), excavators, bulldozers and other machinery. “These waivers on duty are available to new entrants to the sector and for current miners bas