Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo has proposed a bill meant to increase the coordination between the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).

Jagdeo's proposal, suggesting miners be given six months’ notice prior to commencing mining, may lead to a major policy shift, and the Forestry Commission may be given veto power over future mining decisions.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) have called special sessions to debate the issue.

The Stabroek News, in a letter by Mac Mahase, said that President Jagdeo is facing the unenviable task of devising a workable low-carbon development strategy (LCDS) to cope with the undertakings, as the funding will be funneled only when certain criteria are met: the necessary infrastructure would have to be set up before the REDD project is on its way; and foreign-policy advisers, consultants, administrative staff and field personnel will have to be contracted.

The project will be supported by legislation and controlled by UNFAO and CIFOR, with the aim of developing transparency, rules, forest governance, accountability and enforcement; however, enforcement issues have yet to be determined.

The GGDMA is expected to debate whether the proposed six-month’s notice is acceptable. The GGDMA is pushing for a 7% exemption for Guyana’s total forested area, for small and medium-scale gold and diamond miners to mine under present alluvial conditions, claiming that as much as 80% of the small-to-medium mines would be forced out of business if the government's proposal is accepted.

Jagdeo's main challenge, however, is eradicating the large-scale, unregulated diamond mining in Guyana by the Brazilians and other foreign companies.

Former GGDMA President Afro Alfonso noted recently that out of some 9,000 dredges operating in Guyana, only 271 were licensed and registered. With 300,000 ounces of gold reported as the official gold production figure for 2009, one can only wonder where all the invisible gold revenue is going.

Foreign companies mining in Guyana wield immense influence over the government, and their mining operations are sorely lacking transparency. A Freedom of Information Act is a primary requisite that would allow authorities to have better understanding and knowledge of what is being done – sometimes in their name.