Govt, GGDMA in move to acquire improved recovery system

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) continues to explore technologies to increase mineral recovery while reducing mercury use for local small and medium scale miners.

To this effect the GGDMA and the Ministry of Natural Resources have signed an agreement for the acquisition of mineral processing technology that can increase recovery and ultimately reduce the use of mercury. The “Riven Mineral Recovery System” will be pilot tested for the next 12 months in Guyana’s mining sector, the GGMFA said in a press release. This project is part of the GGDMA’s commitment to exploring and finding effective and feasible technology solutions to improve recovery and effectiveness which will ultimately lead to a reduction of the use of mercury in Small and Medium Scale (SMS) mining operations.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat stated that the government is incentivising miners to adapt improved recovery and mercury-free technologies. According to the release, he noted that the Government of Guyana through the GGMC will continue to work towards maintaining Guyana’s momentum and reaffirming the country’s global commitment to the achievement of the objectives of the Minamata Convention, in a realistic manner. Over the years several options have been touted to provide the solution needed to enable the transition to mercury-free technologies.

However, on closer analysis, the GGDMA was skeptical of these options, they had challenges of cost and applicability, however, GGDMA continued the search for practical, adoptable and adaptable technologies which are applicable to both our physical and financial operating environment. The purchase, and deploying for testing, of Riven Mineral Recovery System also known as the “Maroker” is funded jointly by the GGDMA and the Government of Guyana. The GGDMA inform and share the knowledge gained with SMS miners throughout Guyana as we deploy and test the equipment in a variety of geological environments and ore deposit types.

Website: www.ggdma.com 633-7111  Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association

Over the years, miners have struggled to recover the smaller particles of gold. However, this new system shows potential and could be the solution local small and medium scale miners can adopt. The Riven Mineral Recovery System is a continuous mineral recovery system, as opposed to batch such as the traditional sluice box; it has several potential benefits including:

No Use of Chemicals

Minimum Use of Water: Recycling water through use of a special application dewatering hydro-cyclone where appropriate

High Recovery of fine gold

Reduced physical footprint

Environmental and social benefits.

Increased Profit to the Miner

The Riven Mineral Recovery System flowsheet consists of has coarse gold recovery circuit, followed by: a fine sizing and desliming circuits. The core of the Riven System revolves around a specially designed continuous cleaning Conveyor Micro Riffle Sluice engineered to improve retention of the fine, flat gold particles.

Mining remains the backbone of the local economy; the industry contributes to the economic well-being over 100,000 Guyanese, whether directly or indirectly.  In 2020, the industry achieved export earnings in excess of US$800 million; it contributed some US$60 million in taxes and royalties to the national coffers.

The GGDMA is committed to developments which yield benefits for the entire mining sector; we will continue to work with the Government to test and investigate mineral processing technologies which will contribute to our often stated push towards more responsible mining.