12/07/2026
Guyana reaches half-year gold declaration target for first time in nearly nine years– Minister Bharrat
– as government adopts zero-tolerance approach to illegal mining, blacklists offending foreign miners
Guyana has achieved its budgeted gold declaration target for the first half of 2026 for the first time in almost nine years, with declarations reaching close to 240,000 ounces, according to Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat.
Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on Saturday, Bharrat said the country surpassed the corresponding period last year by approximately 25,000 ounces, despite challenging weather conditions that affected mining operations.
"I'm happy to say that in 2026 we have reached our budgeted target of gold declaration for the half-year period," the minister said.
He explained that the half-year target was approximately 233,000 ounces, but declarations have already climbed to nearly 240,000 ounces.
He added, "Right now we're close to 240,000 ounces that have been declared over this period of time.”
Bharrat noted that the achievement comes after years of declining production following Guyana's previous peak in 2016.
He explained that the country recorded its highest gold production in 2016, largely due to production from Guyana Goldfields, before experiencing annual declines through to 2024.
According to the minister, there was a modest increase in 2024 compared with 2023, followed by a much stronger recovery in 2025 when production rose by about 52,000 ounces over the previous year.
He attributed this year's improved performance in part to stricter enforcement measures introduced by the government to curb illegal mining and improve gold declarations.
During the first three months of the year, authorities intensified enforcement against miners and companies that either failed to declare gold production or recorded very low declarations in 2025.
"We had cause not to renew some of their licences and permits. We had to blacklist some of the non-nationals whose declaration was very low or non-existent. They've been blacklisted. They cannot come back to the country and engage in the mining sector," Bharrat said.
The minister said the government has also adopted a zero-tolerance approach to illegal mining activities.
He pointed to a recent operation in Region One (Barima-Waini) during which authorities seized about 10 to 12 excavators allegedly being used in illegal mining operations.
Bharrat warned that anyone caught mining illegally faces seizure of equipment, substantial fines based on the estimated value of illegally produced gold, and possible prosecution if the gold was sold to unauthorised buyers.
"If we find you mining illegally, we will seize your equipment because you're engaged in illegal activities. If you want it back, you will pay a fine," he said.
The minister believes the stronger enforcement campaign has contributed significantly to the improved declaration figures.
"I think because of this, we are seeing the results now. We are, for the first time in about nine years, that we have actually reached our half-year budgeted target, which is about 25,000 more than last year for the same period," he said.
Beyond gold, Bharrat said other mining subsectors have also performed well during the first half of 2026.
He reported positive performances in bauxite, quarry materials and manganese production.
However, he noted that diamond production remains under pressure due to competition from laboratory-grown diamonds and the continued strength of gold prices, which have prompted many miners to shift their focus to gold extraction.
The minister also highlighted the mining industry's continued importance to the national economy, noting that it remains Guyana's second-largest contributor to gross domestic product after the oil and gas sector and supports an estimated 30,000 jobs directly and indirectly.
With gold declarations exceeding the half-year target for the first time in nearly a decade, Guyana's gold sector is showing clear signs of recovery.
Continued efforts to curb illegal mining and improve compliance are expected to support sustained production and reinforce the industry's contribution to employment and economic growth.
