AS REGION 10 commemorates 100 years since the commencement of bauxite mining, research has confirmed that there is an average of 100 more years left in the region’s reserves. According to chairman of the centenary committee Horace James, a survey discovered that there is 200 million tonnes of bauxite located at block 37, 18 million tonnes at Bamia, 40 million tonnes at East Montgommery and an unproven amount at Tiger Jump. But the amount averages at 40 million.
James said that with the current production of less than one million tonnes per year, the calculation with the above mentioned tonnes in the reserves makes a remaining 100 years of mining accurate.
This calculation can be deemed hopeful to the residents of Region 10 and Guyanese in extension as it has been known that the production of bauxite was on a rapid decline. A well-placed source of Bosai Mineral’s Incorporated revealed to this publication that the decline in bauxite production was not as a result of limited bauxite ore but the aggressive competition in the aluminum market around the world. In addition, the revolution in the manufacturing arena with the preference leaning toward synthetic material, the need for bauxite had dwindled.
Though these and more challenges are being faced, the Bosai Mineral Group has publicly assured the Linden populace of battling with the hurdles rather than ending production. This has brought hope to the close to 500 employees of the bauxite company and to the many youths who hope to one day be employed. With the town’s unemployment rate at 70%, many Lindeners look to the bauxite company for employment as it eliminates challenges such as working away from home.
Bosai Mineral Incorporated is also seeking ways to efficiently execute the manufacturing of refactory calcined bauxite as it is no longer accessible just a foot below the surface of the soil but some 300 feett below. This involves the purchasing of costly heavy duty equipment to access this mineral and to process it. The company recently spent millions of dollars on a dust collector to eliminate the environmental and health hazards that resulted from the bauxite dust being filtered into the atmosphere. In addition the Linden community has benefited tremendously from the generous donations from Bosai Minerals whether in sport or infrastructural development.
As the town, and in extension the region, celebrates 100 years of bauxite mining the centenary committee has scheduled several activities that will climax in October to edify Lindeners on the history of bauxite mining and the benefits being derived.
History of Bauxite mining
Bauxite mining started in 1916 when a Scot, George Bain Mackenzie, a Scotsman arrived in Linden and observed bauxite in the soil. He fooled the residents, giving them the impression that he wanted to plant oranges. After his death, other expatriates came and commenced bauxite mining in the community of 3 Friends. At that time manual methods were used to access the bauxite in the soil such as the pick axe and spade. As the bauxite went deeper in the soil the companies began using heavy-duty machineries such as excavators and walking draglines.
The first company to commence bauxite mining was Demba (Demerara Bauxite Company) which was an offshoot of the Canadian Aluminum Company Alcan. This was followed by Guymine, Linmine, Linpa, Omai and presently Bosai.
The bauxite company was nationalized in 1971 and after operating at a loss, the then Government was on the verge of closing operations as the consolidated fund was forced to fetch the financial burden of the company with US $15 M per year. The high competition in the alumina market was deemed responsible for this. Many private companies showed interest in the company but the one who was willing to invest in the ailing company was Chinese company Bosai Inc. who commenced operations in 2007 and is still in operation.
Mr. Horace James posited at the launch of the 100-year observances that the main aim was to educate the students of Linden of the significance of bauxite mining and the role it played in the development of the town and the country. “It is important that people know that bauxite mining started in October 1916 and the history and the role that bauxite played in the development of Linden, of Guyana and the World War 1 and 2,” he said.
James said that bauxite mining could be deemed responsible for Linden being developed into a community and later a town, if not it would not have even been occupied. “This area would have been like other settlements along the Demerara River… but this town was established as a company town,” revealed Mr. James.
The bauxite centennial committee plans to construct an Industrial museum, a commemorative arch and a statue relevant to bauxite. It will also host a bauxite symposium and produce a centennial magazine.