Guyana is on track for a strong year in gold production after declarations climbed to nearly 240,000 ounces in the first half of 2026.
Speaking on the Starting Point podcast on July 12, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat said the country exceeded its half-year declaration target of approximately 233,000 ounces, with current declarations approaching 240,000 ounces. The figure represents an increase of about 25,000 ounces compared with the same period last year.
“I’m happy to say that in 2026, we have reached our budgeted target of gold declaration for the half-year period,” Bharrat said.
The minister reminded that in addition to the improved performance, a tougher enforcement campaign was launched earlier this year against miners and companies that failed to adequately declare gold production in 2025.
According to Bharrat, the government withheld the renewal of some mining licences and permits for operators with poor declaration records. It also blacklisted some non-national miners whose declarations were either minimal or non-existent, barring them from returning to Guyana to participate in the mining sector.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has also adopted what Bharrat described as a “zero tolerance” approach to illegal mining activities.
“We have been on a serious campaign since then on a zero tolerance approach to illegal activities in the mining sector,” he said. “I think because of this, we are seeing the results now.”
Gold remains one of Guyana’s largest export earners outside the oil and gas sector, making declaration levels an important indicator of production as well as compliance with the country’s mining regulations.
Bharrat said the ministry will continue pursuing a zero-tolerance approach to illegal mining to ensure the sector develops in a responsible and sustainable manner.