The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) at its annual general meeting re-elected Mr. Ronaldo Alphonso as its president for the next two years. Mr. Alphonso was unopposed and was easily re-elected. In his short message to the members, he called on miners to immediately put an end to smuggling by refusing to sell to unlicenced buyers and illegal shops. He also explained that the GGDMA will be working even more aggressively with the Government of Guyana to help eradicate gold smuggling and the operation of illegal landings and shops. Alphonso also reminded miners that the gold belongs to the state and the practice of paying and trading in gold must end. He also called on all miners to ramp up their production to help meet the national target set for 2025. He urged miners to declare their production soon to ensure that the figures get locked in for 2025. (The national target for 2025 is 500,000 ounces.)
Several other executive members echoed the President’s call for a stamping out of gold smuggling and called on miners to stop the practice of paying in gold. It was also raised that the association should considering blacklisting members who are caught in gold smuggling activities. The meeting was unanimous in taking more decisive action against smuggling.
Managing Director of the GGDMA. Mr. Avalon Jagnandan, in his report noted that there has been an increase in membership and urged other miners to come on board with the association. For last year he noted that the Association was instrumental in facilitating duty free concessions for members and through the open day initiative several small miners were given assistance to restart the operations.
The new executive was elected and will serve for 2 years. The new executive is as follows:
1) Mr. Ronaldo Alphonso – President
2) Mr. Dabria Marcus – Vice-President
3) Mr. Azeem Baksh – Secretary
4) Mr. Patrick Harding – Treasurer
5) Mr. Geraldo Alphonso – Organizing Secretary
6) Mr. Terrence Adams – Committee Member
7) Mr. Terry Singh – Committee Member
8) Ms. Vishanti Balgobin – Committee Member
9) Mr. Shawn King – Committee Member
10)Mr. Andron Alphonso – Immediate Past President
Meanwhile Mr. David Bacchus, Mr. Charles DaSilva and Mr. Alfro Alphonso, all founder members will serve on the board as ex-officio members/ advisors.
(GGMA Press Release)
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