– want action on fuel relief,China Jerseys, payments in foreign currencyMiners,Wholesale Jerseys, worried by high fuel costs and falling prices for gold, are again pressing home their demands for a slashing of tax on imported fuel.They are unhappy over what they say is a delay in the granting of a number of concessions promised by Government, last August, including a request for at least half of monies by the Guyana Gold Board to be paid in foreign currency.Miners are to meet Finance Minister on Monday to discuss a number of concessions to ease the challenges facing the industry.Representatives of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), back in August, had met with President Donald Ramotar; Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, and Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud. At that meeting, the mining body argued that falling gold prices have been placing pressure on operators in the industry. They also wanted concessions on four-wheel drive pickups being imported.However, there have not been any major movements in the concessions, senior officials of GGDMA disclosed yesterday. Recently, the association requested another meeting, writing the Ministry of Natural Resources. One has since been set for Monday with the Finance Minister.In August, GGDMA had also asked for Government to seriously consider speeding up the process for work permits for foreigners, and gun licences, in light of the high incidence of crime in the interior. Regarding the fuel subsidy, GGDMA is proposing that Government accept a five per cent rate on the excise tax charged. With fuel accounting for 25% – 30% cost of production, this would significantly reduce the overheads for operations.Miners are also worrying about problems to transport fuel as rivers run low in the hot weather.Several dredges have reportedly closed operations. The cost of running dredges has increased as more fuel is being used for operations.Making its case for a waiver of taxes on the importation of open-back 4x4s, GGDMA had argued that currently, these are still being deemed as luxury items/vehicles and attract heavy import duties.The mining body also said it is concerned about the lack of foreign currency at the Guyana Gold Board (GGB), which is affecting its capacity to buy spares and other items overseas.The association said that while previously it was paid in foreign currency, this changed in November 2011 when the GGB informed miners that there was none available.“GGDMA is urgently requesting that foreign exchange be made available to assist the small and medium scale miners, during this crisis of falling gold prices,Jerseys From China, for them to import much-needed spares and machinery, since some companies are taking advantage of the miners.Also, the availability of foreign currency has encouraged miners to sell their gold to GGB.”Gold became the biggest foreign exchange earner for Guyana in the last couple of years, as world prices rose and bankers bet their money on the shiny metal. But prices plunged this year to US$1,100 per ounce from a high of US$1,900 last year. Yesterday it remained steady at US$1,Cheap Jerseys Store,340.This year, a massive 460,000 ounces is expected, which would represent the highest gold declaration, surpassing OMAI and local combined declaration in 2001 of 456,000 ounces. So far, with four months left in the year, declarations are standing at 300,000 ounces.Small and medium scale gold and diamond mining employs about 15,000 persons with up to 150,000 persons benefitting indirectly.Several companies including MACORP, GenEquip and Associated Industries Limited (AINLIM) have reportedly been experiencing heavy sales of machinery and spares, with the airline companies also benefitting from increased traffic.Gold,Cheap Jerseys Supply, in the last few years, has become the biggest contributor to the economy, ahead of sugar and rice.“The development of Guyana’s hinterland is directly entwined with the development and prosperity of the mining industry,Cheap NFL Jerseys, which provides opportunities for Guyanese,” the GGDMA had stated in August.