Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh on Thursday revealed that Guyana will be shipping its first shipment of manganese in the latter part of this week. He was at the time delivering statements at the 30th Annual General Meeting of the Private Sector Commission at the Marriot Hotel.
“Guyana, I believe this week will resume exports of manganese for the first time in 54 years, right now as we speak, vessels are being loaded in the North West of Guyana with Guyana’s first shipment of manganese," Dr. Singh stated.
Manganese is currently being mined in Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma Region One. It is used to make clear glass, to desulfurise and deoxidise steel in steel production and to reduce the octane rating in gasoline. It also is used as a black-brown pigment in paint and as filler in dry cell batteries. Its alloys help stiffen the aluminum in soft-drink cans.
Dr. Singh said this forms part of the Government's effort to developing the non-oil extractive industries in an attempt to diversify Guyana's economy.
Apart from manganese, the Senior Minister said investors are exploring the development of large scale mining here in Guyana. “Multiple international companies are actively engaged at various stages of development of world class large scale gold mining operations in at least three very promising developments across Guyana that could see gold mines each of which could be bigger than the Omai gold mine.“
