Canadian firm to seek key explosives, cyanide, radiation and export permits for Oko West gold projectÂ
Jun 15, 2025
Drone view of the Oko West camp
Kaieteur News â Canadian firm, G Mining Ventures (GMIN) plans to begin applying for a series of permits for its Oko West Gold Project in Guyana from as early as the third quarter of 2025. This is according to its recently released feasibility study, NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Oko West Gold Project.
Among the first approvals GMIN intends to secure is an Explosives Use Permit from both the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken. The company expects to submit applications for these in Q3 2025, with approvals anticipated by May 2026.
In early 2026, GMIN will also apply for a Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Licence from the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, covering the use of chemicals across the entire mining site. This permit is likewise expected to be issued by May 2026.
Further into its permitting schedule, the company plans to seek a Cyanide Permit, which is necessary for the storage and use of cyanide during the mineâs operational and commissioning phases, in Q2 2026. Notably, approval for this is projected for August 2027, but the application process can only commence once GMIN secures its Mining Licence.
Additionally, a Radiation Permit for equipment emitting radiation will be required from both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the GGMC, with GMIN targeting a Q2 2026 submission and expecting approval by April 2027.
Finally, the miner plans to apply for its Export Licence for Gold from the Guyana Gold Board in Q3 2026, which will be needed once the project reaches its commissioning stage. The company anticipates this permit will be granted by December 2027.
The Oko West project, located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), remains GMINâs flagship venture in Guyana as it advances towards production.
This publication recently reported that GMIN has expanded its land holdings in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to 71 square kilometers. GMIN is the 100% owner of the Oko West Gold Project, which falls under its main prospecting licence (PL) covering 44 square kilometers (10,890 acres).
The 44 square-kilometer PL area is currently considered an âadvanced-stage exploration projectâ, and is expected to produce 350,000 ounces of gold annually from both open pit and underground mining over 12.3 years at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of US$1,123/oz. A recently published feasibility study shows that the project is poised to deliver strong financial returns, thanks to low production costs. The Oko West project stands out for its scale and high-grade resource. The latest Mineral Resource Estimate includes 5.4 million ounces (Indicated) and 0.4 million ounces (Inferred).
The initial PL was issued to GMIN Ventures Guyana Inc. (formerly Reunion Gold Inc., now GMIN Guyana) on September 23, 2022, valid for three years with two possible one-year renewals. Under the Mining Act of 1989, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission administers such licences which grant exclusive exploration rights over the licenced area.
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