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The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association will be intensifying efforts to decrease the number of existing stumbling blocks to ensure that small and medium miners get a bigger bite into several operational concessions asVice President of the GGDMA, Andron Alphonso (right) and immediate past President of the Association, Patrick Harding.being given to larger companies.This announcement was made yesterday when the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at the entity’s Headquarters, North Road,Cheap Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys, Georgetown.Vice President of the GGDMA, Andron Alphonso,Cheap Green Bay Packers Jerseys, stated that for the year thus far,Cheap Baltimore Orioles Jerseys, gold declarations have surpassed 420,000 ounces – a significant increase in comparison to this same period last year.He added that the increase in declarations can be partially attributed to the large-scale companies, many of whom would have commenced operations within recent months. However, he posited that the larger share of the declarations came from the small and medium scale miners.The Vice President said that this has been the norm for many years despite small and medium contractors not getting the level of concessions being given out to larger companies.Alphonso said that it should not be misconstrued that the GGDMA does not appreciate larger firms. In fact,Cheap Jerseys, the association welcomes these companies and recognises their contributions to the country’s development as significant.However, the association will be intensifying its mission to ensure that there is a level playing field within the industry as it relates to concessions.He added that over the last year,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, the government would have offered local miners concessions on several items including fuel,Cheap Spain Soccer Jerseys, mining spares and vehicles. He continued that while the Association is aware of a few miners who would have benefitted from the concessions on some of these items, it is not aware of a beneficiary of fuel and mining spares concessions.Alphonso made it clear that as it relates to fuel, no blame can be placed on the Ministry of Natural Resources, nor the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).The blockade avoiding the local small and medium miners to access this particular concession, he explained, is as a result of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA)’s “unrealistic and difficult” requirements.He added that while the Government has provided an option for local miners to obtain items including mining spares at reduced prices, the additional “burden” – the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) – on all heavy-duty mining equipment,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, is a terrible hindrance to the progress of miners in the industry.He expounded that with the introduction of VAT, the cost of upgrading operations has increased to over $6.5M – which he added,Cheap Houston Texans Jerseys, “is a hard pill for many miners to swallow.”Alphonso said that with the 2017 National Budget on the horizon,Cheap France Soccer Jerseys, the GGDMA is urging the Minister of Finance to consider the removal of VAT on these items – which will be integral to the development of the level of mining in Guyana.The development of roads in the interior and the identification of additional roadways, were also amongst some of the calls made by the Association yesterday.Meanwhile, miners who were present at the meeting also raised concerns regarding security and GGMC’s will to resolve some of the pressing issues.One miner, who spoke during the Open Discussion Segment, and who later informed media operatives that he wished not to be named, said that small and medium scale miners are always the pillars that support Guyana’s economy.He therefore questioned why they are being treated this way and why some of their ills and concerns are being placed on the backburner.