GGMC warns miners over compliance breaches
November 4 2026
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is warning miners and mining shop operators that their operations could be suspended if they fail to produce valid licences, permits and other required documents during inspections.
In a notice issued on November 3, the Commission reminded miners, shop operators, licence and permit holders that they must keep copies of all relevant authorisations readily available at their operations and present them to authorised officers of the GGMC or Ministry of Natural Resources upon request.
Failure to produce the documents will result in the immediate suspension of mining or shop operations until the required paperwork is presented and verified.
The Commission also reminded miners that all gold produced must be sold through legally authorised channels, including the Guyana Gold Board, licensed gold traders or licensed gold dealers.
It said sales through authorised channels ensure that applicable taxes and statutory deductions are made, while allowing authorities to maintain accurate records of production and sales.
With the January 2027 licence renewal period approaching, miners have also been urged to ensure their production records and gold sale documents are complete, accurate and up to date.
The GGMC warned that failure to meet the requirements could affect the processing and renewal of mining licences and other authorisations.
It further cautioned that breaches of the Mining Act, regulations, licence conditions and other legal requirements could attract enforcement action, including suspension of operations and other sanctions.
The Commission said it expects all mining stakeholders to comply with the regulations as it continues efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the sector.
See full statement here..
“The Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC) wishes to remind all miners, shop operators, licence holders, permit holders and other mining stakeholders of their obligation to comply with the laws and regulations governing mining operations in Guyana.
The Commission emphasizes that compliance with these requirements is mandatory and that enforcement action will be taken against persons found to be in breach of the applicable legislation.
๐๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐, ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ข๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐.
All mining stakeholders are reminded that copies of all relevant licences, permits, permissions, authorizations and other applicable documentation must be readily available at their respective mining operations and associated establishments, including mining shops, where applicable.
These documents must be presented to authorized officers of the GGMC and/or the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) upon request to facilitate inspection and verification.
Failure to produce the relevant documentation when requested will result in the immediate suspension of the affected operations, whether mining activities or shop operations, until the required documents are presented and verified by the Commission.
Stakeholders are therefore urged to ensure that all required documents are valid, current and readily accessible at their respective operations at all times.
๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐น๐
The GGMC further reminds all miners that gold produced from their operations must be sold through legally authorized channels, namely the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), licensed Gold Traders or licensed Gold Dealers, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
Selling gold through these authorized channels is not only a legal obligation but also an essential part of maintaining transparency and accountability within the mining sector. It ensures that applicable taxes and statutory deductions are made and that accurate records of gold production and sales are maintained by the relevant authorities, including the GGMC and the GGB.
The Commission particularly underscores the importance of maintaining verifiable production records and evidence of gold sales. These records are essential for monitoring production, strengthening regulatory oversight and assessing compliance with the conditions attached to mining licences and permits.
As the licence renewal period approaches in January 2027, all miners are strongly advised to ensure that their production records and gold sales documentation are complete, accurate and up to date. Failure to satisfy the applicable requirements may affect the processing and renewal of licences and other authorizations.
๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
The GGMC also reiterates that all mining operations must be conducted in strict accordance with the Mining Act, the applicable Mining Regulations, all relevant legislation, licence conditions, permits and lawful directives.
The Commission will not condone breaches of the law, unauthorized activities or disregard for the regulatory requirements governing the sector. Any breaches or infractions identified during inspections or enforcement exercises will attract appropriate and firm enforcement action, which may include the suspension of operations and other sanctions provided for under the applicable legislation.
All miners, shop operators and other stakeholders are therefore urged to review their operations, ensure that their documentation is in order, maintain accurate production and sales records, and comply fully with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
The GGMC remains committed to promoting a transparent, accountable, responsible and law-abiding mining sector. Stakeholders are reminded that compliance is a shared responsibility and that sustained adherence to the law is essential to the effective management and development of Guyana’s mineral resources.
The Commission expects the full cooperation of all mining stakeholders and will continue to exercise its regulatory and enforcement responsibilities in the interest of the sector and the people of Guyana.”
