OPERATIONS at B.K Quarry, Teperu, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) came in for high praise last Friday from Head of European Union (EU) Delegation in Guyana Ambassador Geert Heikens.

In this composite photo, Ambassador Geert Heikens, Head of European Union (EU) Delegation in Guyana (extreme right with hands behind his back) and other members of the visiting delegation observe one of the blast-off.

Ambassador Heikens expressed his satisfaction shortly after he and his wife, Canadian High Commissioner Charles Court, personnel from the Ministry of Works and other special guests, witnessed the final of three blasts conducted by the company showcasing its capability at procuring stone which is then processed into varying aggregates.

The quarry is a subsidiary of the parent company B.K. International headed by Brian Tiwarie and which is currently executing a number of EU-funded sea defence projects.

The EU Ambassador, who was making his second visit to the quarrying location, said he was amazed to see how the project has developed from when he was last there into an “impressive enterprise”.

The blasts netted some 60, 000 tonnes of rocks, and on completion of the final explosion which was the largest of the three, the Ambassador remarked that his mission has been accomplished.

Ambassador Heikens having a closer look at a rock in the company of Managing Director of B. K. International, Brian Tiwarie.

Ambassador Heikens appeared quite amazed during a conducted tour when Tiwarie drew his attention to some glistening streaks in large pieces of rocks and announced they were raw declaring that “this is future business”.

In making specific mention of the “substantial employment” afforded the Guyanese by the company and how it has been adopting its employees, the EU envoy said he was “surprised” at the number of facilities such as a modernised canteen and a sports facility, and accommodation which the company has put in place to make life away from home for the employees, an enjoyable one.

The EU Ambassador who assured of his organisation’s long-term assistance to Guyana’s sea and river defences said a new sea defence structure is likely to come on stream early next year and funding would come from a US$75M commitment for 2010 for several sectors countrywide.

High Commissioner Court who was seeing a blasting operation for the first time, said that in addition to being impressed with the safety measures put in place by the company during the exercise, said he was also pleased with the investments the company is making for the benefit of the workers, who are the mainstay of the company.

The canteen and sports facility.

Meanwhile, manager of the quarry, Mar Dyaljee Persaud, speaking with reporters said the company is cognisant of the demand for the varying aggregate of stone as a result of the construction boom countrywide and for development projects. To this end, it is hard pressed to complement the other stone companies in ensuring that there is enough material on the market for local consumption, as well as for the company’s use.

B.K. International which between last year and this year invested US$7M in quarrying equipment is currently producing some 300 tonnes of aggregate per hour which is not the full capacity of the plant.

Persaud said plans are on stream for the company to open up a new quarrying operation on the other side of the river and the Chronicle learnt that come next year a further US$5M will be invested in a new crushing plant and roll-out facility.

The police outpost.

Also, the company is moving to have operations at the quarrying facility self-sufficient in the production of fruits, vegetables and ground provision and the visiting team saw first-hand a thriving organic pineapple orchard with some 14000 organic pineapple plants already in an advanced stage of growth, a facility built by the company to be used as a Police Outpost.
Persaud disclosed that there are plans for poultry rearing to begin on the location next year and that the construction of pens for that purpose will commence, during the first quarter.