The Rupununi Miners Association on Saturday last elected a new executive body and among its future plans is the setting-up of a new office as well as increasing accountability of who enters the mining fields in the region.
The new body will be led by John Adams who was elected President of the association while Yougool Cedarry will serve as Vice-President. Azalea Jacobus will serve as secretary while Carol Realine will serve as treasurer.
The elections were held in the Marudi Mountains backdam, central point of gold mining within the Rupununi region.
The elections were witnessed by an official from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission as well as the Romanex Mining Company. Financial members of the body and more than 80 persons within its membership witnessed the elections which was seen as a major step in regularising mining within the Rupununi.
Adams told the Village Voice that among his immediate plans as President is to ensure that greater accountability is undertaken during his tenure. He said that a plan is being put in place to ensure that all miners and businesspersons who fall within the membership of the association must register with the association. He said such persons will be presented with an identification card. “Not any and everybody will be allowed freely into the backdam area,” he said, noting security is one of several issues which is also being addressed.
He said the issue regarding the small miners operating on lands operated by Romanex is one which is being addressed. He said persons were moved to another area from that company’s lands, under directives of the GGMC.” That is one of the first things the new executive will look at,” he said, noting it is one of the main issues affecting small miners in the region.
