Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has announced that bauxite operations will restart in the Berbice River “where it had seized in 2020 due to neglect and mismanagement of the sector by the APNU+AFC”.
He said the approval was granted just a few days ago by the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration.
Dr Singh noted that the operator will this year advance work to restore all critical systems, so that production can recommence toward the end of 2027.
While the Finance Minister did not name the operator, the PPP/C administration had been in talks with RUSAL to revive activities in the Berbice River.
RUSAL’s Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) subsidiary left Guyana in February 2020, amid industrial unrest among their workers, terminating 326 employees.
Before they decided to leave, BCGI faced difficulties, including low production.
In addition, when the company had initially announced its decision to terminate workers, it had stated that it was experiencing difficulties after the former Government ended its duty-free arrangement for its fuel.
The former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government was severely criticised for its handling of the issue and its failure to protect the interests of the hundreds of bauxite workers who were left jobless following the company’s decision to leave Guyana.
Govt actively working to reopen Rusal operations in Berbice River – Bharrat
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