Ceased Work Orders Issued for the Year 2014

MINERAL PROCESSING UNIT

The Mineral Processing Unit (MPU) has the responsibility for designing, testing and demonstrating improved mineral recovery for Small and Medium Scale gold and diamond mining operations. Other responsibilities include testing and determining other valuable minerals than can be produced with gold and diamonds as by-products or co-products and testing the potential for utilization of economic minerals found in Guyana. Activities for improving mineral recovery are linked to optimizing tailings management.

Several critical areas were engaged by the Mineral Processing Unit. Work in the lab and field to test and demonstrate enhanced recovery options that do not utilize mercury was actively pursued. The use of borax as an alternative to mercury was introduced as a trial but had only partial appeal due to the type of gold grains, washing skills and scale of operation. The testing was done in collaboration with a visiting consultant from Denmark.

Cyanidation, floatation and the use of various pilot scale concentrations were also field demonstrated in the Mahdia, Frenchman, Northwest District and Puruni locations.

Tailings management and turbidity control were also areas of demonstration, education and awareness initiatives by the Mineral Processing Unit where stakeholders such as Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association were encouraged to participate.

The Mines Clerical Section is responsible for facilitating the critical responsibilities that relate to the promotion of legality within the mining sector and include the issuing and renewing of dredge licenses and registration credentials, trading licenses, certificates of registration, prospecting permits, mining privileges, business and residential permissions and claim licenses.