Underscoring the importance of the mining sector to Guyana’s economy, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) said it is committed to creating an environment that remains attractive to private investment in mining to boost production, exports, and employment.
On Monday, the party officially launched its 2025 manifesto outlining its plans to be executed in its next term if reelected.
“The mining sector, particularly gold and bauxite, plays a critical role in Guyana’s economic wellbeing, generating employment and incomes that are critical to several large communities, such as Bartica and Mahdia in the case of gold, and Kwakwani and Linden in the case of bauxite,” the manifesto states.
For the gold sector, the PPP said that over the next five years, it will continue to work with private investors to realise new large-scale mining operations coming into production. It was underscored that these projects will create thousands of job opportunities and also inject dynamism into the economies of surrounding communities.
The party said it will make more lands available for small miners to be able to access concessions, as well as continue to invest aggressively in hinterland roads and airstrips to improve access to mining areas. Notably, the PPP promised that it will maintain the favourable fiscal regime for the sector, with no increase in royalties, no VAT on heavy equipment, and no tributors tax.
As it relates to the bauxite mining sector, the PPP said it will continue to work with private investors to ramp up fully the metallurgical grade bauxite (MAZ) project in Linden, Region 10. This project has been recognised as one already creating hundreds of jobs and generating new economic dynamism in the region.
To resuscitate bauxite mining at the abandoned allocations in the Berbice River, the PPP said it will engage with private investors and encourage exploration of other areas with bauxite mining potential.
The manifesto outlined, “With the landing onshore of our gas resources, including the second pipeline landing in Berbice, we will explore the viability of alumina refining, in collaboration with private investors.”
Additionally, it was stated that the party will continue to support rapid expansion in the production of quarry stone and sand products, particularly in light of the demand which is growing due to the construction boom underway.
