Volderine Hackett

Approximately 120 persons participated in a space that was both physical and virtual. They comprised artisanal, small and medium scale miners, academics, researchers, professionals, government (environment/natural resources health, labour) and other state agencies, training institutions in mining, leaders of Guyana’s indigenous communities, the private sector, and international organizations including the Global Environmental Facility and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Presenters and other participants in and out of the diaspora, including H.E. Mr. Samuel Hinds, Guyana’s Ambassador to

Why partner?

There are always benefits to be derived from partnerships; weaknesses and challenges have the potential to become strengths and opportunities. Resources, such as finance, knowledge, expertise, equipment and accessories, could be leveraged to extend the reach and impact of any single endeavour. In a conversation with Rene Edwards, Technical Director, CI-Guyana, he shared that “work done through planetGOLD and other projects allowed for the achievement of common goals, objectives and activities”. He cited the historically tense relationship between the mining association and the

In Guyana, 70 per cent of gold mining is done by this sector, which directly engages more than 11000 persons, at all levels, and a significant number indirectly. It is an important livelihood and income source for poor families and many indigenous communities. In 2018 this sector’s contribution to the GDP was 6.1 per cent. Guyana’s ASGM is extremely diverse - from pork knockers/punters, very small operations and medium-scale operations.

While it is acknowledged that in Guyana there are several contributors to deforestation such as logging, urbanization, and agriculture, mining is the main