-wants to invest in mining, other sectors
DREAM Hole Mining Company (DHMC) may be a small entity with less than 50 shareholders, but is so excited about Guyana and where it’s headed it is willing to invest in other sectors apart from mining, which is its core activity. The American-owned company, which has already begun construction of a 35-mile road from Aricheng to Kurupung Mountain Top, both in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), made the news recently when it formally launched the project at Aricheng Junction in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Company staffer as well as staff of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
The company’s quest is to mine gold and diamonds at Kurupung Mountain Top, a location reputed to be so rich in precious minerals it was once the hunting ground (in the 1950s and 1960s) of legendary local miner and diamond seeker, the late Frederick Mahaica.
DHMC hopes to complete the road to Kurupung Mountain Top at a cost of about US$1M by August, and to commence production by year-end.
This is according to Company President, Mr. Lloyd Johnson who made the disclosure during the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally declare the project open.
The ribbon-cutting followed the moving of heavy-duty road equipment, by road and barge, from Georgetown to Aricheng, via the Itaballi Crossing, Puruni and across the Mazaruni.
Company Vice President (Development & Communications) Mr. John E. Haynes, told the Guyana Chronicle that theirs is not a large multinational corporation with public shareholders but a small, privately-owned business that is run more like a family-type of operation.
“Dream Hole is privately-held, with less than 50 shareholders, most of whom are small- sized investors who are simple working-class folks who have put together the necessary money to make the minimum investment,” Haynes said.
“If they lose that investment, it will be a serious financial hit to them.  Regardless, across the board, these shareholders believe 100% in the potential success of Dream Hole,” he said, adding:
“It is certainly a big undertaking by a small company, but one that we are convinced is going to be successful and a blessing for everyone in the company and around the company.”
Haynes said the almost family-type nature of the company shows that the shareholders have their hearts in the right place.
“They certainly want, and expect, to have a substantial return on their investment, but they also are very serious about giving back to the people of Guyana,” he said, adding:  
“We will most definitely be paying a significant amount of taxes to the GRA, but we have always had plans, from the beginning of the company, to go beyond that through charitable works.”
Once settled in, he said, the company plans to get involved in humanitarian and community outreach programmes.
Said he: “We have every intention of providing funds and manpower to various worthy causes in Guyana.  We are going to do everything we can to make sure we establish the Dream Hole name as a name associated with integrity.”
Haynes said that even while looking for community involvement opportunities, Dream Hole will also explore other business opportunities in the country, with a view to diversifying its investments.
“As we succeed and produce returns to our investors, it is very possible that we will create other companies to get involved in the tourism industry, agriculture and service industries.
“All of this will of course require Guyanese employees and suppliers, which means more payroll and tax revenue. So, from our core business of mining, we have the desire to go beyond it and create more jobs, all the while producing more returns for our investors. Everyone wins,” the Company VP said.
He said that though the company is small, it has very capable people in positions of technical responsibility, and has enough capital to get into production.
“Therefore, we are 100% confident that once we are into production, those watching us from the sidelines will be impressed with how we operate and handle ourselves.  We consider it a privilege to be working in Guyana, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” Haynes said.