The Ministry of Natural Resources, through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), is currently exploring new sites for sand mining, amid a rapidly growing demand for sand mining permits, according to Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat.

According to Minister Bharrat, with the construction sector on the rise in Guyana, the GGMC has seen an influx of applications for sand mining permits, particularly, for the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

However, he said the Commission is confronted with the issue of many of the persons seeking sand permits have leased land for agriculture purposes, and the need to strike a balance between mining and housing development. 

“There are a number of people trying to acquire sand mining permit on the highway, however, GGMC will not be in a position to issue a permit if a no objection is not given by Lands and Survey. Now, what is happening, a lot of people have lease on the highway, but it is mostly agriculture lease, so GGMC, will not allow mining, or cannot allow mining on an agriculture lease. It has to be converted and the only way it can be converted is through the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission before, we can issue that,” Minister Bharrat explained. 

Further, he explained that with Government moving to regularize a number of communities on the highway, coupled with President Irfaan Ali’s plan to build Silica City, the GGMC is in the process of identifying new areas for sand mining. 

“We are looking at new areas but I understand that most of the applications and most of the prospective miners, the preference is on the highway. You know how, truckers and miners operate, they prefer to just turn onto the highway and be able to access sand. Now, we have to change that because the highway is developing too, and you know the plans to develop the Silica City and to regularize some of the communities on the highway, that President Ali spoke of, and all of that is happening right now, so it is difficult to have sand mining operations ongoing within close proximity to housing area on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. So, we are looking at other areas,” the Natural Resources Minister explained. 

Minister Bharrat said instead of transporting the sand via land along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, sandpit operators must now consider transporting their sand down the Demerara River using a barge. Minister Bharrat reasoned that this alternative is not only more profitable but feasible. 

“So, we are trying to get miners to change their approach now especially in sand mining, to go down the Demerara River, and to look at different areas, and to open up new areas, however, the areas close to the Linden/Soesdyke junction is the highway demand area but you would understand that is the area earmarked for Silica City and further housing development,” he said. 

Sand and loam mining is one of the most important sectors in the mining and construction industries, however, in the past it was the least regulated.

But given the high demand for sand, the Natural Resources Ministry, through GGMC, has been keenly monitoring the sector. 

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