…utilises technology to increase efficiency and transparency
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has modified its previously “repetitive and onerous” application process for the granting of permission to operate dredges and other specified machinery, a statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources said Friday.
A decision was taken by the recently installed Board of Directors to address several key concerns raised by miners and to embrace the use of technology to increase efficiency and transparency in the Commission’s operations.
The Board of Directors, during its first week after being installed, met with GGMC’s management team to strategically review the Permission to Operate Dredge or Specified Machinery process. It was found that 90 per cent of the documents required by the Commission, along with the application form, were already were issued by the Commission. This process proved repetitive and onerous to miners.
The Board decided that the request for “unnecessary documents” was eliminated by the Board of Directors and a review of the operational flow of the process was done.
Several other unnecessary steps were removed from the application process and entire process has been reduced to approximately three days for dredges smaller than 10 inches and five days for larger dredges.
“Further, the actualization of a process that allows the miners to operate unhindered was realized by incorporating technology, strategic planning and strategic human resource management. As of this week, the application process allows and caters for both online and walk in application platforms,” the Ministry said.
By regulation, every dredge or specified machinery must have the approval of the GGMC Commissioner as provided for under Regulation 149 (3) of the Commission’s amended 2012 Regulations.
The regulation states that “it shall not be lawful to any tributor or person who holds a license or dredge issued under part XXI A of these regulations to be or to work or to cause the said dredge to be or to work on any claim or mining permit area without first having obtain the written permission of the Commissioner to have the said dredge work on that claim or mining permit area.”
What this means is that each time a dredge is being moved approval must be granted in writing by the GGMC Commissioner before operation can begin. Because of this regulation, miners found it increasingly difficult to receive the written permission in a timely manner.
The Ministry of Natural Resources said that the regulation was enforced to protect both land holders and dredge owners’ interest, and avoid illegal mining and mineral collection.
Meanwhile, GGMC’s online platform can be accessed at https://eservices.ggmc.gov.gy/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2F
For walk-in customers, immediately after submitting all necessary forms, which would be entered into the Commission’s system, a reference number and date will be automatically generated and issued.
For online applications, upon the submission of the relevant form, and barring any incorrect information on the form, it would be reviewed and inputted into the system and a reference number and date will be generated and communicated to the applicant.
The Ministry said that the reference number will allow miners to begin operations and work unchallenged in the first instance. The miner will be allowed to present the reference number to GGMC’S field staff up until the 3rd or 5th day after the application was made, whichever is the applicable timeframe for the respective miners’ application.
After the expiry of this period, miners would be informed of the success of the application for Permission to Operate Dredge or Specified Machinery and the next steps to be taken thereafter.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Natural Resources said that similar reviews will be conducted for other GGMC processes to ultimately provide some ease to miners.
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jimmy Reece, along with members representing the
Guyana Women Miners Organization (GWMO) represented by Urica Primus and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) represented by Dabria Marcus and GGMC’s key process owners Mines Manager (ag), Krishna Ramdass and ICT Manager (ag) Garfield Pearson reviewed and revised the process.
