Work at First Bauxite’s Bonaskia Mining Project well underway
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GAESQ64bow” width=”100%” height=”315″]
─ full-scale bauxite production by ending 2019
─ First Bauxite has supplied market with 6,000 tons of bauxite per month
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, March 13, 2019
The project development phase at First Bauxite’s Bonasika Mining Project, located in Sand Hills, Region 3, is approximately 50 per cent complete. However, the company is wasting little time placing its product on the market.
According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bill Rice, First Bauxite has already begun supplying the market with approximately 6,000 tonnes of bauxite per month, in a bid to develop its supply chain.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), during a tour of its Region 3 Bonasika Project, Rice made the revelation as he provided an update on the project thus far.
“Besides the project, we are producing about six thousand bauxite per month that we are using to supply the market to get our customers to understand the value of our bauxite and get our supply chain developed.”
On Wednesday, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan was given a tour of the project, along with the Board of Directors of First Bauxite.
Following his observations, Minister Jordan said:
“They have been doing quite a good job so far. I like the discipline exhibited with regards to occupational safety measures for the workers and the emphasis on the environmental aspects.”
The Bonasika (bauxite) Mining Project is being developed by Guyana Industrial Minerals (GINMIN). It is estimated to have a mine life of 25 years, producing ultra-high strength proppants and sintered bauxite products, said to be among the best in the world.
Construction activities at the project commenced in June 2018, with official mining expected in the second half of 2019.
The Bonasika Mining Project includes the development of the mine site, processing plant and supplementary facilities.
To date, the company has employed approximately 200 Guyanese, including persons from the surrounding Sand Hills community. An initiative which has been welcomed and applauded by the government.
Felecia Valenzuela
Image: Marciano Narine