THE Management of the Linden bauxite operations which is majority owned by Chinese company BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc., has notified its workforce and the bargaining workers’ unit, the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), that a decision has been taken to shut down the calcining Kilns #13 and 14 for approximately four weeks, which began July 8.A release from the company’s Senior Personnel Officer (SPO), Mrs. Truedel Marks, stated: “During the first half of 2014, the company operated both calcine kilns; however, [during] the latter half of the year only one kiln was operated due to the decline in markets for our bauxite. In 2015, the company continued to operate one kiln, while the sale of our bauxite products further decreased. At the beginning of the year 2015, a decision was taken to park eight pieces of equipment in the Mines. To date, the storages are filled and bauxite products are dumped on the ground around the plant.” In light of this, she reported that to sustain the operations, management has decided to shut down kilns #14 and 13 for approximately four weeks, which can be extended or retracted, depending on the marketing situation. Marks continued: “There will also be a reduced working period of hours worked per week to forty (40) or eight (8) hours per day within the Bauxite Plant Division. The mines will be allowed to continue working the twelve-hour shift schedule to extend and safeguard the stripping lead and general repairs and maintenance works will be done throughout the company.”
The SPO added: “After the shutdown of the kilns, the company will operate one kiln for the rest of the year 2015, which will result in the reduction of staff during the first week of August, 2015.”
According to Mrs. Marks: “Management met with the NAACIE Union on July 2, and with the employees on July 3 and all were apprised of the situation and the decisions taken.”