Ivor English applies for mining permit renewal after Govt. claimed no involvement in sector

(Kaieteur News) – Convener of civil society under the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI), Ivor English has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to renew his sand and loam mining permits, following a turbulent period of debates between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) on his appointment over conflict-of-interest concerns.

Following his appointment in November 2025, the previous Convener, PFG pointed to a possible conflict of interest. The body pointed out that English holds 17 mining permits which were strongly defended by the GoG.

Minister Bharrat told Demerara Waves Online News that Dr. English’s appointment poses no conflict interest because he has not been actively engaged in mining for gold, diamond or sand. “Our evaluation determined that Dr. English presents no conflict of interest relevant to the role as convener of a civic society organisation,” Bharrat is quoted in the online publication as saying. He further stated according to Demerarawaves that Dr. English holds no active mining property in the extractive sector, as alleged. “He acquired mining blocks in the Cuyuni Mining District 4 in 2014, approximately 11 years ago. There has been no mining activity on those mining blocks since he acquired them. There has also been no activity on a sand mining permit in Manaka since 2014,” the public stated.