Mining in Guyana has grown exponentially in the last 25 years, becoming the dominant export industry and engine for growth. Guyana's pathway to economic domination by mineral extraction has taken a distinctly different path from other mineral-intensive countries in that the majority of extraction has been from small and medium scale operators. A single Canadian-owned gold mine was the only representation of the large-scale sector for much of the time period. Guyana's unique mining industry has evolved as a result of the increasing international gold price, its political history and crucially government policy that legalised, regulated and encouraged small and medium scale activity much more prominently than large-scale activities. Chief to this policy position was the establishment of a legislative framework that creates a structure for Guyanese small and medium scale miners to obtain property rights and mine legally.

This paper draws on interview evidence and secondary data to reflect upon the impact that this policy position has had upon the economic, social and environmental consequences of the growth of the mining industry in the country. Economically the policy helped to maintain value within Guyana, but may not have fully insulated the country from the resource curse. Although a large value was created for consumption by Guyanese miners and their families, little of this was captured by government for investment in long-term infrastructure. The industry also provided a valuable source of employment for low-skilled local labour, helping to absorb individuals from diminishing industries such as sugar. Socially the industry has created problems such as prostitution, human trafficking and crime, especially in remote areas. However, it may have proved as an important safety valve, providing income and activity for otherwise disaffected low-skilled individuals. Environmentally the industry has created problems due to mercury pollution and deforestation but there is space within the legislative structure for the industry to become an agent of change for restoration and land reclamation.

矿业圭亚那已成倍增长，在过去25年中，成为了主导的出口行业和增长引擎。圭亚那通过矿产开采实现经济统治的途径与其他矿产密集国家采取了截然不同的途径，因为大部分的开采来自中小型经营者。在大部分时间里，只有一家加拿大人拥有的金矿才是大型企业的唯一代表。圭亚那独特的采矿业得到了发展，这是由于国际金价上涨，其政治历史以及至关重要的政府政策（使合法，规范和鼓励中小型活动比大型活动更为显着）。

本文利用访谈证据和辅助数据来反映这一政策立场对该国采矿业增长对经济，社会和环境造成的影响。从经济上讲，该政策有助于保持圭亚那的价值，但可能并未使该国完全摆脱资源诅咒。尽管为圭亚那矿工及其家人的消费创造了很大的价值，但政府几乎没有将其中的一部分用于长期基础设施的投资。该行业还为低技能的本地劳动力提供了宝贵的就业来源，有助于吸收糖业等衰弱行业的个人。在社会上，该行业造成了卖淫，人口贩运和犯罪等问题，特别是在偏远地区。然而，它可能已被证明是重要的安全阀，可以为那些原本不满的低技能人士提供收入和活动。在环境方面，由于汞污染和森林砍伐，该行业产生了问题，但在立法结构内仍有空间使该行业成为恢复和开垦的变革推动者。