Retired Major General, Joseph Singh on Saturday tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to avoid hurting relations with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) over his stewardship.

“The reform of the mining sector in accordance with Guyana’s national interests is far too important an objective to be distracted by the issue of my Chairmanship and Membership of the Board,” Singh said in his letter of resignation dated August 18 to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud.

The GGDMA had cited Singh’s conflict of interest as a conservationist and chairman of the regulatory mining authority because mining ultimately disturbs the environment.

“He is more prejudice towards environment rather than mining. It’s a problem of conflict of interest and where his loyalty lies,” the miners’ association official explained. There are also similar concerns in the GGDMA about Persaud being minister of both natural resources and the environment.

Singh's resignation came just about two weeks after the Office of the President endorsed Singh as Chairman in the wake of the GGDMA's position. “We do not share the view that Mr. Singh has taken anti-mining positions in the discharge of his responsibility as the Chairman of the GGMC or in any other official capacity," Presjdent Donald Ramotar's office had said then.

The GGDMA had refused to participate in Mining Week 2012 activities if Singh remained as Chairman. The association had already moved motion of no-confidence in him and made out a case for his removal.

In his letter of resignation, Singh said he had been previously unaware of the GGDMA’s vote of no confidence until it was mentioned in GGDMA President Patrick Harding’s letter of August 16 to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment.

“I had not been informed that such a vote had taken place and now that I am aware of this, I would not wish to be the excuse for the Association’s non – participation in the Mining Week 2012 activities, and also an inhibiting factor in the much needed collaboration between the Association and the Commission and with your Ministry, Singh added.

Singh said he has already telephoned the GGDMA President and advised him of his decision and requested that he informs his membership that  “the way is cleared for the GGDMA to participate fully in the Mining Week 2012 and in the process of reform and development of the mining sector in the interest of all Guyanese.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment said it regretted his resignation and a new chairman would be named soon. "To ensure the effective and smooth functioning of the Board, a new Chairman of the GGMC will be named, shortly," the ministry said in a brief statement.

Government credited his chairmanship since April 2011 as one with "distinction, commitment and integrity."  "The strides made under Mr. Singh’s leadership in aligning the mining sector, and more particularly the GGMC for future opportunities and challenges will be consolidated. The Government, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and the GGMC will continue to value Mr. Singh’s wisdom and experience," the m inistry added.

Singh is a former Executive Director of Conservation International.

He recently returned to the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) as its Chief Executive Officer for a second time.