75. THE BEGINNING OF THE GOLD INDUSTRY Guyana
Gold mining had a serious effect on labour on the coastal areas especially in the sugar industry. This was because many of the male African workers departed for the gold fields with the hope of earning quick riches. In an effort to stem the drain of labour, the Government in 1880 imposed a royalty on wouldbe gold miners of 2 percent. But this did not halt the flow especially since sugar was