GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – Guyana’s government has forged a strategic partnership with G-Mining, a Canadian gold company, to train thousands of Guyanese to work in one of the country’s largest gold mines in Region Seven.

Starting with 1,500 trainees, the programme will begin in February 2025 and steadily expand.

Once the mine is developed by 2027, even more Guyanese will receive training to work in the mines.

The country’s Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, briefly detailed the goal of the game-changing collaboration during a press briefing at the ministry’s head office on Tuesday.

“After the development of the mine, we will continue to train all the people who will work in this mine, relatively to equipment operators, welders and fabricators, electricians and so forth…The focus primarily is on people from the region, both males and females,” he said.

This collaboration will play a key role in bolstering Guyana’s mining sector while enhancing the skills and employment opportunities for locals.

Since the country’s natural resources are crucial for economic development, special emphasis will be placed on the sustainability and environmental integrity of the mining operations.

Given that the main operations will take place in Region Seven, the majority of the workers will most likely hail from this area.

“G-Mining has bought out Reunion Goldmines. It’s about to establish one of the largest gold mines in Guyana. At our facility in Bartica, we will train all the staff that will work at this mining centre,” Hamilton said.

Employment opportunities such as these are a direct result of the government’s policies to ensure locals benefit first from foreign companies operating in Guyana.

By mandating local employment quotas and promoting training opportunities, the government is safeguarding the jobs of Guyanese whilst enhancing the country’s economy.