Guyana exploring mining of other rare minerals

GINA, GUYANA, Tuesday, April 18, 2017

More attention will be placed on the mining of rare earth minerals, particularly lithium in the coming year, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman said.

“We’re looking to do a survey to get a better sense of what exactly we have,” Minister Trotman told the Government Information Agency (GINA) recently.

Last year, a permit was given to a Canadian company for prospecting of lithium, Minister Trotman highlighted. “That company has started doing some drilling and has seen signs of lithium. I believe they are now in the process of looking for financiers to go further,” the Minister further explained.

The Canadian based company, Guyana Strategic Metals (GSM) Incorporated is operating in Region Seven, Minister Trotman said. GSM earlier this year signed an agreement with an Australian company, Greenpower Energy to acquire interests in the exploration.

In the coming months, Greenpower Energy is expected to carry out an airborne geophysical survey to focus on the follow-up work.

Lithium is said to be the lightest known metal and is commonly used to make rechargeable batteries such as those found in cell phones. The metal was said to be discovered some five years ago in Guyana.

By: Tiffny Rhodius