August 17, 2016
CUYUNI-MAZARUNI, Guyana – Minister of Natural Resources Honourable Raphael G. C. Trotman, M.P., and a team from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on Wednesday August 17, 2016 made a visit to Troy Resources’ gold mining operation at Karouni in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The visit was a spot check on the company to hear of their concerns and to get a sense of factors affecting production and outcome targets for the rest of the year.
During the visit, Minister Trotman held a brief meeting with Troy Resources’ Executive Director – Project Development Ken Nilsson where they discussed labour relations issues, production targets, weather and issues related to spare parts for equipment.
Minister Trotman said that it was not an investigative visit but a routine one to check to see how mining is progressing.
The Minister said that Government is very keen on making sure that there is good production but production that is done safely and with respect for the workers.
“As we move around we are observing, speaking to workers, hearing from them about any grievances they may have, areas of improvement that they would like to see, and things that we could raise with the management,” he said.
The Minister noted that they are taking the opportunity to speak to management about production forecasts.
“We know that rain badly affected operations a few months ago so we are now getting back into a good momentum so it is important that we get a better understanding rather than just sitting in our offices in Georgetown,” said Minister Trotman.
Nilsson stated that the weather over the past months has affected production, noting that they should have been farther along in terms of their operations. He stated that productivity is reduced when the material is wet and it has to go through the mill for processing.
Regarding industrial relations matters, Nilsson said that the company has recognised the union of choice for the workers, noting that the company does not have any issues dealing with unions.
The Minister said that now that the National Assembly is in recess, both himself and Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Honourable Simona J. Broomes, M.P., will be making visits to mining operations throughout the various mining districts.
“We were recently at Aurora Gold Mines and we are now here and we will be going into the various mining districts within the next weeks to see how things are going,” said Minister Trotman.
The Minister and a team are to make another visit to Troy Resources’ operations in the near future.
