Loggers on the East Bank of Berbice could soon be allowed to engage in mining alongside their forestry activities, under a proposal announced by Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat.
Bharrat made the announcement during a meeting with loggers and members of the business community at Mara on Sunday.
He said his ministry will work with the logging associations to facilitate a mining block for members who are interested in entering the sector.
“So while they're engaged in logging activities to look at the possibility of also doing mining, and I will work with associations to probably issue a medium scale mining lot to the association so that members who are interested, they too come in the mining, as well as logging,” Bharrat said.
The proposal comes as the Government moves to expand opportunities for members of the forestry community, including through additional forest concessions.
Bharrat said the association currently has about 8,500 acres, but is seeking an additional 4,000 to 5,000 acres as its membership has grown.
However, he said the association must first address internal issues, including the renewal of its concession, the distribution of forestry taxes and the holding of elections.
He said the Guyana Forestry Commission will meet with the existing association and other small associations operating along the East Bank of Berbice on September 27 to work on restructuring the groups and establishing a properly functioning association.
Once that process is completed, Bharrat said the Government could move ahead with extending the concession and exploring the mining opportunity.
The Government is also planning to establish a furniture-making facility on the East Bank of Berbice, where residents will be trained to produce school furniture, wardrobes, cabinets and kitchen cupboards.
A jewellery-making course is also expected to be introduced in Berbice before the end of the year, with training offered to residents interested in entering the industry or establishing businesses.
Bharrat said the measures are intended to create additional employment and economic opportunities for residents and members of the forestry sector.
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