THE Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), under the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), in collaboration with Global Ventures Consulting (GVC) and Excalibar Minerals LLC, on Wednesday, launched the Mineral Mapping Project, a landmark initiative aimed at transforming the country’s mining sector.
The project, described as a multi-year, strategic, and critical study, will provide a comprehensive and modernised inventory of Guyana’s mineral resources. Unlike past efforts focused largely on gold, the study will examine the geological, geochemical, and structural relationships of the nation’s mineralised terrains, identifying both traditional resources and non-traditional minerals such as lithium and scandium.
Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Vickram Bharrat, said the initiative aligns with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
“This project ties in with our Low Carbon Development Strategy, which speaks to sustainable mining and logging. It is a roadmap to balancing economic development with environmental sustainability,” Minister Bharrat said, adding that few countries can boast of Guyana’s success in achieving this balance.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment, under the leadership of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, to supporting miners across the sector while ensuring practices are environmentally responsible and economically viable.
Senior Geologist at the GGMC, Akqueza Mendonca, noted that the last mineral inventory was completed in 1968, making the current initiative critical for modern exploration and management. He explained that the project focuses on radiometrics, gravity, and magnetics while addressing longstanding gaps in technical expertise, data management, and advanced analytical capacity.
“The idea is to assimilate all datasets with the experts from the mineral inventory team and generate an updated mineral inventory,” Mendonca said. “This will help us build technical programmes in geophysics, geochemistry, and geology, and generate new targets for both traditional and non-traditional minerals.”
The project also aims to establish a national mineral data portal, support capacity building for local professionals, and introduce advanced tools for alluvial miners to improve efficiency, trace pay zones, and reduce environmental impacts.
Thus far, the GGMC has completed multi-element geochemical and geological surveys covering 60 percent of Guyana, searching for over 49 elements. The new initiative will build on that foundation with cutting-edge technology and international expertise.
Mendonca emphasised that the Mineral Mapping Project will pave the way for a stronger, more sustainable mining sector:
“All of these objectives together with the geophysics which we have been lacking for years now give us a promising future and certainly a mineral inventory that we can all be proud of.”
The government views the project as a game-changer, not only for unlocking Guyana’s mineral wealth but also for strengthening sustainable development, advancing scientific knowledge, and ensuring that future generations benefit from the country’s rich natural resources.