Empowering Communities through Training: GMSTCI Conducts Community Mines Ranger Training in Great Falls

From June 25, 2025, the Great Falls / 58 Miles Community Centre in Berbice Mining District #6 became a hub of learning and empowerment as seventeen community members, ten women and seven men, participated in an eight-day Community Mines Ranger Training (CMRT) programme hosted by the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre Inc. (GMSTCI).

Led by Instructors Tracy Lall and Omella James, with support from Mr. Chandrashakar Ram of the Ministry of Health’s Vector Control Unit, the training provided a comprehensive blend of classroom sessions and practical field exercises. Participants explored vital areas such as Map Reading and GPS Navigation, Mining Regulations and Compliance, Occupational Safety and Emergency Response, and Environmental Protection and Community Engagement.

The CMRT initiative aims to build local capacity by equipping Indigenous residents with the technical and regulatory knowledge needed to monitor mining activities on Amerindian Titled Lands, conduct field inspections, and collaborate effectively with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). Through this training, participants gained a deeper understanding of their role in promoting safe, sustainable, and lawful mining practices that protect both livelihoods and the environment.

The course not only strengthened participants’ technical skills but also fostered confidence in managing mining-related issues affecting their communities. Further, the growing participation of women is a positive sign of inclusive development within Guyana’s mining sector.

As the session concluded, participants expressed pride in becoming part of a nationwide network of trained community rangers, local guardians dedicated to ensuring responsible use of their natural resources.