By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
President Dr. Irfaan Ali took his “people-centered” development drive to the heart of Guyana’s mining district on Friday, February 6, 2026. During a meeting with hundreds of small- and medium-scale miners in Puruni, the President delivered a clear message: the government is ready to fast-track miners toward prosperity, provided they operate within the law.
The visit, described by Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat as the first-ever by a sitting president to the Puruni hub, focused on bridging the gap between state regulation and the gritty reality of life in the “backdam.”
Regularization, Not Repression
Addressing concerns about increased enforcement and recent “zero-tolerance” raids against illegal mining, President Ali assured miners that the government’s intent is to empower, not exclude.
“We are not trying to make regulations to make things difficult,” the President told the gathering. “We prefer for you to sell to the Guyana Gold Board, and that is why we have brought here an office of the Guyana Gold Board. When you declare your gold legally, those declaration slips help you get loans to grow larger and larger.”
Support Measures Announced:
- Mobile Banking & IDs: Commercial banks and government teams will visit Puruni within the next month to help miners open accounts and register for digital ID cards.
- Consortium Land: The President pledged that the government will identify specific blocks of land for small miners’ consortiums to work collectively, backed by state-supported infrastructure and equipment.
- Technical Assistance: A specialized team will be deployed to help miners prepare business plans to access the Guyana Development Bank, which offers loans of up to $3 million, interest-free and without collateral, to small operators.
A Warning to Foreign Operations
While welcoming investment, the President issued a stern reminder to non-Guyanese operators regarding their legal obligations. He emphasized that all foreign workers and dredge owners must have proper documentation and sell their production through the local Gold Board.
“Whilst we allow you, the Guyanese miners, the foreign miners we’re going to accelerate your documentation process, so that within six weeks, everybody must be in line,” Ali stated.
Infrastructure Blitz for Puruni
Beyond mining regulations, the President unveiled a suite of social and physical infrastructure upgrades for the Region Seven community:
- Health: Expansion of the local clinic into a full health center equipped with a 4×4 ambulance.
- Education: Introduction of the Guyana Digital School to deliver high-quality learning to children in the hinterland.
- Connectivity: Completion of the Puruni Bridge and a new police outpost to enhance security.
- Aviation: The government is negotiating to use a newly constructed private airstrip for emergency and community use.
Minister Vickram Bharrat concluded the meeting by highlighting tax reliefs in Budget 2026—including the removal of duties on ATVs and four-door pickups—reiterating that the 2026 declaration target of 510,450 ounces is achievable if miners and the state work in true partnership.
