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-as ACP/EU-UNDP programme kicks into effect in GuyanaThe Ministry of Natural Resources, recognizing the drop in the world price for gold,Wholesale MLB Jerseys,From far left- Programme Manager, Geologist Daniel Frank; Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman; Khadija Musa; UN Resident coordinator; Ambassador Jernej Videtic of the European Union; Natural Resources Permanent Secretary Joslyn McKenzie and Assistant Secretary General Dr. Douglas Slateris embarking on a drive to refocus emphasis on other minerals produced by Guyana- the development minerals and to create an enabling environment for this extractive industry to thrive.This was communicated by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, during the launch of the fourth in a series of workshops carried out by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and European Unions’s (EU) development minerals programme yesterday.Participants at the workshop were drawn from representatives of the extractive industries in Guyana, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Suriname.Also in attendance at the launch, which was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, were Ambassador Jernej Videtic, EU Head of Delegation; Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and Khadija Musa, United Nations (UN) resident representative to Guyana.Trotman acknowledged that a dependence and focus, both institutional and extractive wise, had been brought to bear on Guyana’s most recognized minerals- gold, diamond andMinister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman (third from right,China Jerseys Cheap, front row) with the participants in a group photo (GINA photo)bauxite. According to Trotman, while gold was the largest foreign exchange earner in 2015, when planning priorities for the industry in 2016, they missed out key mining areas.According to Trotman, there have been deaths in the quarrying industry,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, but with the workshop, specific aims will include field visits, sector assessments and working out initiatives for promoting the sector which include but are not limited to technology exhibitions, business fairs, investor guides, networking events and geo data.“The regulations governing the sector need strengthening. It affects productivity,” Trotman stated, adding his appreciation for it being addressed in a frontal manner now. However, he added that the momentum had to be maintained.Trotman also spoke on the merits of these minerals from another direction. Pointing out that gold has become associated with several unpleasant side effects such as environmental damage, pollution of the waterways and armed conflicts; he used the adage “gold is so pure, it brings out the impurities in others.”According to Minister Trotman, Guyana’s economy is projected to grow by more than four percent in 2016, with some of this growth being attributed to construction. However, he noted that there is a marked lack of skills, working capital and relevant technology among operators.He noted that the Guyana Geology and Mines is involved in mapping and qualifying areas with semi-precious stones.Ambassador Videtic also addressed the gathering, promising the EU’s continued support for the initiatives. He noted that the European Development Fund (EDF) aims to assist Caribbean countries, as it has assisted in core issues such as sustainable energy and arresting climate change.He said that prices for nickel, copper and other metals have declined, with a further slope by 11 percent projected for 2016, due to the fall in demand the economic slowdown in China. According to Videtic, with the global decline for metal, neglected development minerals have a chance to take on new significance.He also pointed out that local and economic determinants drove the extraction of these minerals, rather than international prices which drove gold.Assistant Secretary General, Douglas Slater, in his presentation noted that a higher level of productivity could be garnered by diversifying the extractive industry, creating an effective workforce and ensuring better regulations are in place.Douglas, who hails from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, noted that there is recognition for the need for infrastructure. He stated that roads, ports, irrigation and drainage are dependent on Government ensuring the sectors keep up the necessary supply of the industrial minerals. In addition, he stressed the need for market access to be maintained.Douglas said that in his country, sand for construction is imported from Guyana and is an important commodity.That said,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, he too acknowledged that the quarry industry is still dangerous and operators have a responsibility to look out for workers, visitors to the sites and communities. He stressed the need to train workers in order to reduce accidents.For that, Douglas stated that the programme and workshop is important so that participants can make the necessary improvements at the national level.First launched in July 2015, the initiative is known as the “Capacity development of mineral institutions and of small-scale private sector operating in low-value minerals in ACP countries”.It is a three-year, €13.4 million initiative and was initiated by the ACP Secretariat, financed by the European Commission and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and implemented by UNDP at the request of ACP Group of States.It aims to help the sector reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In addition, it works toward the ACP framework of action on the development of the mineral resources sector, which was endorsed by the ACP Committee of Ambassadors in 2011.The programme is expected to support the small-scale,Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic, private sector mining; public institutions and communities in the ACP Group of States that work within the low value mining and materials sector.It is also planned that knowledge which can increase the sector’s productivity, help better manage mining operations to keep in line with national and international environmental and health standards, and prevent conflict through promoting community relations.While the local mining sector is primarily focused on gold, bauxite and diamonds, Guyana also contains deposits of semi-precious stones, laterite, manganese, kaolin, sand resources, radioactive minerals, copper, molybdenum, tungsten,Cheap NFL Jerseys, iron, and nickel among others.