In a decisive move to combat gold smuggling and revenue loss, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has delivered a stern warning to foreign mining operations across the nation. During a high-level meeting with officials from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Ministry of Natural Resources on January 2, 2026, the President announced that international miners must fully declare their actual gold production within 24 hours or face severe consequences.
The presidential directive specifically targets mining dredges that have shown suspiciously low or zero production declarations. “All registered dredges with no declaration will be deregistered, and all foreign miners operating illegally in Guyana must be identified for prosecution and expulsion,” President Ali stated following the emergency meeting. The administration has identified Brazilian miners as particularly problematic, though Chinese mining operations have also been implicated in underreporting practices.
Notably, the President’s statement exempted Zijin Mining Group, China’s major gold producer in Guyana, which officials confirmed has remained compliant with local mining regulations. The crackdown comes as Guyana pursued an ambitious target of 500,000 ounces of gold production in the previous year.
Beyond the immediate deadline, the government has announced broader reforms to increase transparency in the mining sector. The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association will collaborate with the Natural Resources Ministry to ensure all mining operations maintain proper registration and establish local bank accounts. Ronaldo Alphonso, President of the mining association, echoed the government’s position, urging miners to “make 2026 the year of compliance and declaration” to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability.