A former Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission said that while there is no specific policy on the mining of rare earth elements (REE), the GGMC has encouraged persons to look to that area since its demand was growing with the increasing manufacture of electronic consumer items.

Speaking to Stabroek News, William Woolford said that when he commenced his second stint acting as Commissioner of the GGMC in 2006 following the August elections, he encouraged small miners to enter the realm of rare earths.