–sand, stone production increasing consistently, President Ali says
–also highlights progress in exportation of manganese

AFTER restarting its manganese production in 2022, Guyana has exported more than 255 tonnes of this, President, Dr Irfaan Ali said during his address on the eve of Guyana’s 58th Independence Anniversary, while addressing a mammoth gathering at the Mackenzie Stadium, Linden, Region 10.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh in 2022, had disclosed that Guyana will restart manganese exports after 54 years.
The development was seen as highly significant and came at a time when the country is diversifying its economy along more competitive lines.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali said too that there has been an increase in the demand for and production of sand and stone.
“The demand for sand and production of sand has [sic] increased by 1,222 per cent when compared to 2020 and the production of stone, quarry material has [sic] increased by more than 220 per cent

“What does this tell you? This tells you about a country that is on the rise. A country that is going through a major building phase and the rebuilding phase,” the Head of State added.
Figures provided by the Natural Resources Minister in 2021— the first year after the election of the PPP/C— showed that the production of sand surpassed 1.65 million tonnes, as compared to the 688,051 tonnes produced in 2020.

As for stone, 2021 saw a production of 853,099 tonnes, as compared to the 737,750 tonnes produced during the same period in the previous year.
Eleven quarry licences were issued to new applicants, covering 30,737 acres with each having a productive capacity of 150,000-200,000 metric tonnes per year.

Shortly after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic assumed office in 2020, it brought an end to what was deemed a standstill in the quarry industry, owing to the non-granting of licences throughout the tenure of the David Granger-led government.