The Gold Marketing Chain in Suriname - WWF, Abu Dhabi unveil ...

The Mining Decree
According to his rights under the exploitation right as stipulated in the Mining Decree (art. 34)
the mining title holder is entitled to process, transport and market the gold that he has mined
within his concession (art. 34a). In return the holder is obligated to annually state the
production and export estimates for the following year, the import quantities of raw and other
materials, also the proven, possible and probable reserve still under his right and submit
quarterly reports on the amount of mineral and/or mineral concentrate produced, processed,
marketed and exported and stocks and composition of the mineral and/or mineral concentrate
(art. 35d, f and g).
In older regulations 46 it was stipulated that gold miners (there was no distinction made
between large and small‐scale gold miners) were not allowed to sell, exchange, pawn, etc to
anyone else than an authorized gold buyer. But nowadays other conditions are negotiated with
the large‐scale foreign gold miners. They are allowed to export their gold but must pay
royalties.
The small‐scale gold miners have a similar obligation under article 40a to submit quarterly
reports on the amount of minerals mined. However there are no rules mentioned on the
processing of these minerals, which in comparison to the exploitation right for large scale
mining can be considered an omission on the part of the legislator.
The Currency Regulation
There is a Currency Committee whose purpose it is to implement and control currency traffic
regulation 47 under auspices of the President of Suriname who is responsible for the national
currency policy. As an instrument of the government this Committee gives permits for the use
and possession of, amongst others, foreign currency and gold in Suriname (art. 11). The import
and export of gold is prohibited other than with a permit of the Currency Committee (art. 17).
By Resolution 48 additional rules have come in force to further realize the goal of the Currency
Regulation. These rules contain the definition of rough gold, which is: gold that is taken out of
the ground pure or mixed with other elements, in dust form or in pieces, or incorporated in ore,
quartz or stones or melted to a bar, block or any other form for any purpose like purification or
46
Article 13 of the Act on Gold Tax, last official text published in G.B. 1945 no. 142 and last amended in G.B. 1946
no. 15. This Act was repealed by G.B. 1950 no. 56.
47
Article 1.2 of the Currency Regulation.
48
Resolution on rules regarding extraction, processing and the transport of gold in regards to the Mineral Act; G.B.
1947 no. 139, last amended in S.B. 1959 no. 35.
48