The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association is calling on the government to enforce the established Road Users Agreement at key points such as Linden and Bartica.
The Road Users Agreement stipulates and monitors the weight restrictions for trucks/vehicles transporting fuel and other supplies.
GGDMA said mining continues to be one of the main economic drivers of development in Guyana; however, safe, reliable and efficient passenger and cargo services are critical to the success of mining operations.
“The GGDMA is of the view that some trucking services are damaging the roads, due to the in excessive weights as stipulated in the road users’ agreement, in the interior that has to be used by miners,” a statement from the association said.
In light of this, the body called on Government “to enforce the Road Users Agreement which is fully supported by the GGDMA to encourage a culture of responsible use of interior roads.”
The association also called on truck operators and trucking services to stop overloading their trucks.
“ This is critical especially in the rainy season,” the statement noted.
The statement added, “When the roads become deplorable there is more down time and hence increased the operation cost to miners and other hinterland road users, who now have to pay double to have their fuel and other supplies delivered to their camps.”
According to the GGDMA, many miners’ trucks and other equipment are being severely damaged due to these deplorable roads, putting additional financial pressure on the miner as unnecessary maintenance cost.
