The potential of job and training opportunities for residents of the
Matarkai sub-region of Region One, Barima Waini were highlighted last
evening at a community meeting in Arakaka.
Company Secretary of the Guyana Manganese Incorporated (GMI) company,
(rtd.) Major General, Norman Maclean updated residents on the
expansion of the Matthew’s Ridge-based company’s operations.
Maclean announced that the delivery of 38 new trucks next week,
signalled that work was increasing and that there 554 various
vacancies to be filled. The Company Secretary said, “A glorious
opportunity awaits you” adding there would jobs available for
equipment operators, technicians, mechanics and support staff, along
with training opportunities.
The announcement was welcomed by the residents who mainly depend on
gold and diamond mining for a livelihood. The company, Maclean
explained, will give preference to residents of Arakaka, Matthew’s
Ridge and Port Kaituma within the region.
It was explained that GMI, a BOSAI subsidiary, had a successful track
record of operations mining bauxite in the Linden area, for the past
ten years. The company’s Matthew’s Ridge operations represent an
investment of “some US $500 million” according to Maclean. Exporting
of the rare earth metal, used in the production of high-tech equipment
are on schedule to start by the end of 2019. The mine has a projected
lifespan of 15 to 35 years depending on the rate of extraction, using
open pit mining methods. It will also see the improvement of critical
infrastructure such as water supply facilities, a milling plant, roads
and a wharf to accommodate large transport barges.
Manganese was first mined in Matthew’s Ridge in the 1950’s but later
abandoned due to high costs and other factors. The increasing use of
the rare earth metal in the production of high-tech equipment has seen
the restarting of operations. Guyana is believed to have some of the
world’s largest deposits of manganese.
