Mining School for Linden by end of 2019

– School to work along with Linden Technical Institute

– Min. Trotman mandates Region 10 Chairman

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, January 31, 2019

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman has mandated the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Mining School and Training Centre, Audwin Rutherford, to begin the process of establishing a mining school in Upper Demerara-Berbice, Region 10.

During the launch of the Mineral Prospect and Map Reading Level 1 course at the Linden Technical Institute earlier Thursday, Minister Trotman said with whatever powers are given to him by the President, he will so use to ensure this becomes a reality.

“I am mandating the Chairman of the Mining School and the Director of the Mining School to ensure that there is a branch of the mining school established in Linden before the end of 2019,” says Minister Trotman.

Students listening to the school officials

An official from the Linden Technical Institute briefing potential students on the Mineral Prospect and Map Reading Level 1 course

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman addresses students and special invitees during the launch of the Mineral Prospect and Map Reading Level 1 course at the Linden Technical Institute

Some of the students who have enrolled for the Mineral Prospect and Map Reading Level 1 course

The Natural Resources Minister says the school will not replace the Linden Technical Institute, but instead work alongside it to ensure youths gain the required knowledge to further develop Guyana’s Mining Sector.

“That branch is not to replace, Madam Principle, the Technical Institute, but to come alongside it, to offer courses that will strengthen you and in turn, you will offer courses to the mining school,” noted Minister Trotman.

For the Mineral Prospect and Map Reading Level 1 course, approximately 120 young people were interviewed for the course; however, only 75 could be accepted for the first batch of the course.

Minister Trotman told the young people gathered that government was here to serve them, not the other way around.

“The Government of Guyana is here to serve and take care of you; we have to prepare you for tomorrow, the future so you could take your rightful place in our society.” 

In the meantime, students from the Linden Technical Institute who will be taking this course, said they were excited, as this is another opportunity for them to expand their knowledge in an area which has great potential for national development.

Felecia Valenzuela

Images: Tejpaul Bridgemohan