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Mining in Guyana is a significant contributor to the economy owing to sizable reserves of bauxite, gold, and diamonds.^[1] Much of these resources are found in Guyana's Hilly Sand and Clay belt, a region that makes up 20% of the country.^[2]

Gold

In 2012, export receipts for gold amounted to US$1.5 billion, nearly half of the country's total export receipt value.^[3] All gold mined in the country must be sold to the Guyana Gold Board, and sent abroad for refining at the Royal Canadian Mint.^[4] The gold mining industry is made up of small and medium-scale operations that support as many as 12% of the population.^[5]

In the 16th century, European explorers were drawn to the Guianas due to rumors of a golden city called Manoa, ruled by the golden king El Dorado. This legend instigated settling of the region, but it wasn't until the 1840s when gold was found in significant quantities.^[6] After emancipation, small-scale gold mining was undertaken by many newly-freed Afro-Guyanese, who still make up a significant portion of the modern mining industry. Also known as pork-knockers, these artisanal gold and diamond miners have created or been a part of the folklore in Guyana.^[7]

In 1904, Peters Mine was the first mine opened in Guyana. From 1904 to 1909, it produced 39,800 ounces of gold (approximately 0.8 oz. per ton of ore), and in 1915 to 1916 produced another 1,103 ounces. Surveys conducted by U.S. geologists were favorable, but the mine was abandoned largely due to its inaccessibility.^[8] Nonetheless, it remained the biggest mining operation in Guyana until Omai Mine was opened in 1993. Peters Mine was obtained in 1996 by Guyana Goldfields.^[9]

Government initiatives have favored domestic gold mining operations, such as the 1989 Mining Act which encouraged many small-scale mining companies.^[5] When Omai Mine closed in 2005 it was ten years until the openings of two large-scale open pit mines in 2015: Aurora gold mine, a Canadian-owned operation^[5] and Troy Resources.^[10]

Guyana has not been immune to many of the struggles typical of resource rich countries. The price of gold attracts workers away from agriculture labor for quick gains, the result of which can have a detrimental effect on Guyana's overall economy.^[5] Boomtowns are often plagued with issues related to prostitution and excessive violence.^[5]^[11] Abandoned pits that accumulate water have become vector points for disease such as malaria and dengue.^[10]

Gold smuggling is a perennial issue. In 2016, the Minister of Natural Resources said that "approximately 15,000 ounces of gold is being smuggled from Guyana each week" with the possibility that gold from Columbia or Venezuela is also smuggled through the country's porous borders.^[12] Smugglers often go to Suriname to sell gold due to lower taxation of 1% tax and 2% royalty, compared to Guyana's 2% tax and 5% royalty.^[5] Brazil and the USA are also major destination points of smuggled gold.^[12] In 2012, US$11.5 million of gold was seized in Curacao.^[5]

Despite government enacting a ban on the use of mercury, it is still used for gold extraction by small-scale operations.^[10] A 1995 cyanide spill associated with large-scale gold mining at Omai Mines caused significant damage to the eco-system of the Highland region.^[2]

Bauxite

Guyana's mines yield a high quality calcined bauxite, with uses in the refractory, abrasive and chemical markets for high temperature applications. Guyana's reserves of bauxite was known to be 350-million-tons. Major mining sites are at Linden, south of Georgetown, and Kwakwani on the Berbice River^[6]^[13] In 2016, 1,479,090 tonnes of bauxite was produced.^[14]

History

Bauxite mining began in 1914^[15] and took off in the 1920s with substantial investment from large-scale, foreign operations such as Demerara Bauxite Company (Demba) owned by Canada's Alcan, and Reynolds Bauxite Company owned by Reynolds Metals of the US.^[6] The first bauxite mine in the Upper Demerara-Berbice region opened in 1916.^[16] At that time, Guyana was still the British colony known as British Guiana.^[17] Aluminium became an important resource during the First World War as it was a key material to make aircraft, and so the global demand for bauxite increased, leading companies to expand development in Guyana.^[18] The British government was unwilling to allow Alcan to own the bauxite mines in Guyana because the United States was in control of the Canadian company.^[17] The British government was unsuccessful at preventing Alcan from legally owning the bauxite mines in Guyana due to the United States government threatening to cease providing Britain with weapons needed to fight in the war.^[17] The British Aluminium Company (B.A.C.) acquired leases to develop bauxite mines on the Christianburg land in Linden following World War I, in order to compete with Demba, who at the time, had control of the majority of bauxite in Guyana.^[17] In 1949, the B.A.C's leases were transferred to the Plantation Bauxite Company Ltd. and then transferred to Demba in 1957.^[17]

Bauxite production in the 1960s was around 3 million tons per year and by the early 1970s, the two companies made up 45 percent of the nation's foreign exchange earnings.^[15] After Guyana's independence from Britain, there was a political shift towards nationalizing these large, foreign-owned industries.^[15] The government of Guyana nationalized Demba in 1971.^[16] However, the resulting government-run industries suffered from poor management, commodity price fluctuation, and global competition and production fell to 1.3 million tons by 1988.^[15]

When privatization was used to improve economic prospects, majority shares were purchased once again by foreign companies. In 1985, Reynolds Bauxite Company was one of the first foreign companies to return, providing managerial assistance to Guymine at Kwakwani.^[1]

Omai Bauxite Company, owned by Canadian IAMGOLD, was bought in 2007 by BOSAI, a Chinese company.^[19] The other major mine in Berbice, formerly Aroaima Mining Company, is owned by Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc., a subsidiary of Russian-owned Rusal. The government maintains part ownership in both companies: 30% of Omai and 10% of Bauxite Company of Guyana.

First Bauxite Corporation made plans to develop mining at Bonasika in the Essequibo River,^[20] which after delays from lack of financing, started operations in 2020.^[21]

Aluminum

Guyana had one alumina plant for separating aluminum oxide from raw bauxite ore, but it closed in 1981 as a result of "inefficient management, declining world prices for bauxite, and prolonged strikes by workers".^[1]^[22] Prior to closure, production was about 300,000 tons processed per year.^[1]

Environmental impacts

Increases in bauxite production have led to bauxite dust air pollution in the Linden area by the facility.^[23]

Bauxite mining has impacted the rainforests and other habitats in Guyana through deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and soil degradation.^[18] Bauxite exports increased by 400% in Guyana during the Second World War, and so the environmental consequences became more severe due to the expanding industry.^[18] Tropical forests were cleared to create new mines and the Bayer process left behind red mud and air pollution.^[18]

The natural environment of the community Coomacka (Kumaka) in Upper Demerara-Berbice has been altered by bauxite mining.^[22] The construction of bauxite mines required sand to be cleared from the land, which eventually led to the formation of a sand beach by the Demerara River.^[22] The sand beach has increased flooding in Coomacka.^[22]

The mining companies did not implement restoration measures for the natural environment after bauxite mines were closed in Linden, and so pit lakes exist in areas where open pit mines used to be.^[24] Pit lakes can have negative impacts on groundwater.^[24] In 2018, some pit lakes in Linden were found to have higher levels of aluminium, manganese, and iron, and they were found to be acidic.^[24]

Social impacts

The population of Upper Demerara-Berbice in 1960 was 17,553, with 38% of the people being local, and the other 62% having migrated to the area to seek work at the bauxite mines.^[16] The MacKenzie area of Upper Demerara-Berbice was socially and physically divided based on race during colonial rule of British Guiana.^[17] In 1960, about 74% of the white population resided in South MacKenzie, and 98% of the Black, brown, and mixed populations lived in North MacKenzie.^[16] The Demba company determined where the residents could live.^[16] The white population in South MacKenzie had larger houses that were built better and had sewage systems, whereas the houses in North MacKenzie were smaller and rarely had indoor bathrooms.^[17] The majority of non-manual jobs in MacKenzie were held by the white population, leaving the non-white population to have the lower-paid manual jobs.^[16]

The unequal working and living conditions the Black, brown, and mixed people of MacKenzie faced resulted in the formation of the British Guiana Labour Union (B.G.L.U.) in 1944.^[16] 1,900 workers were fired after the efforts to unionize in 1944.^[16] A 64-day strike in 1947 led to the union gaining official recognition, but this time under the British Guiana Mineworkers Union (G.M.W.U.).^[16] From 1962 to 1970, there were 47 strikes at Demba by the G.M.W.U. One notable strike was in 1964 when 3,000 employees went on strike for a week in response to a white employee calling the Afro-Guyanese workers "cannibals".^[16]

The 1981 closing of the Alumina Plant in Linden directly resulted in 1,600 people losing their jobs.^[22] By the 1980s, bauxite production had decreased, with around 600 workers being a part of the bauxite industry in Linden.^[22] Bauxite mining was the main industry in Linden, and so the reduction of bauxite mining led to many workers having to find employment outside of the city.^[22]

In 2009, 57 employees of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. were fired for participating in a strike to campaign for higher wages and better workers' rights.^[25] The employees who were a part of the strike were unable to seek employment at other bauxite mines due to their participation.^[25]

US sanctions relating to Russian involvement in the 2016 elections has created issues.^[26]

Diamonds

Guyana does not have a significant diamond cutting industry so nearly all exports are rough diamonds. In 2013, rough diamond exports totaled at US$12 million (144,000 Carats).^[4] The industry is mostly made up of medium-scale operations that use land dredging techniques^[6] however, diamond mining has been on the decline. Historical production totals are difficult to produce due to the high rates of smuggling due to factors similarly affecting the gold industry.^[27]

Diamond mining techniques are very similar to that of gold mining processes, so there is a substitution effect between gold and diamonds based on the commodity price.^[10]

Other minerals

Other minerals that are mined in smaller scale include silica sand, shells, kaolin, semi-precious stone, and stone aggregate.^[28]^[29]

Petroleum

In 2015, a major off-shore oilfield was discovered by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd. (a subsidiary of ExxonMobil of the United States, 45%; Hess Corporation of the United States, 30%; and CNOOC Ltd. of China, 25%). The Liza oilfield discovery was considered to be one of the biggest crude petroleum finds of the decade. In 2016, ExxonMobil announced Esso has discovered additional high-quality oil-bearing sandstone resources in the offshore Stabroek Block of the oilfield.^[30]

Major Production Overview

Mining production, 2009-13^[31]
	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
Gold (kg)	9,325.8	9,542.9	11,293.4	13,643.7	14,963.8
Bauxite (tonnes)	1,448,000	1,010,000	1,827,000	2,210,000	1,694,000
Diamond (carats)	143,900	49,900	52,300	40,700	55,927

Important Organizations

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC)
The Guyana Gold Board
Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA)
Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Mining". countrystudies.us. U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved April 11, 2016. ...Guyana was known to have sizable reserves of bauxite, gold, and diamonds.
^ ^a ^b Gafar, John (2003). Guyana: From State Control to Free Markets. Nova Publishers. ISBN 978-1-59033-647-2.
^ Lucas, Rawle (2013-04-19). "Misplaced attitude (Final)". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
^ ^a ^b "Developing a jewellery sector in Guyana". Stabroek News. 2014-07-11. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Hilson, Gavin; Laing, Tim (2017-02-01). "Guyana Gold: A Unique Resource Curse?". The Journal of Development Studies. 53 (2): 229–248. doi:10.1080/00220388.2016.1160066. ISSN 0022-0388.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Colchester, Marcus (2002). Mining and Amerindians in Guyana. Ottawa, Ont.: North-South Institute. pp. 8–9. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.203.494. ISBN 1-896770-44-4.
^ "The porkknocker contribution to Guyanese culture". Stabroek News. 2014-08-31. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
^ Conde, Carlos (1966-12-15). "$5.5 Million in Gold Ore Awaits Mining by Prospectors in Guyana". San Bernardino Sun. Copley News Service. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
^ "Peters Mine". mininglifeonline.net. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Toward the Greening of the Gold Mining Sector of Guyana: Transition Issues and Challenges | Publications" (PDF). publications.iadb.org. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
^ "Guyana's gold rush turns dangerous". The World from PRX. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
^ ^a ^b "Around 15,000 Ozs gold smuggled each week - Trotman". Stabroek News. 2016-01-07. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
^ "Guyana - Mining". countrystudies.us. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
^ "Mining". GO-Invest. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Guyana - History of the Economy". countrystudies.us. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j St. Pierre, Maurice (1975). "Race, The Political Factor And The Nationalization Of The Demerara Bauxite Company, Guyana". Social and Economic Studies. 24 (4): 481–503. ISSN 0037-7651. JSTOR 27861579.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Spackman, Ann (1975). "The Role of Private Companies in the Politics of Empire: A Case Study of Bauxite and Diamond Companies in Guyana in the Early 1920s". Social and Economic Studies. 24 (3): 341–378. ISSN 0037-7651. JSTOR 27861568.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Evenden, Matthew (2011). "Aluminum, Commodity Chains, and the Environmental History of the Second World War". Environmental History. 16 (1): 69–93. doi:10.1093/envhis/emq145. ISSN 1084-5453. JSTOR 23050647.
^ "Outcome of BOSAI Alumina plant feasibility study due early next year". Stabroek News. 2008-03-15. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
^ "New investments in Guyana's bauxite industry". Stabroek News. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
^ "First Bauxite commissions US$100M Bonasika mine". Stabroek News. 2020-02-21. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Bauxite mining in Linden…Economic and environmental impact". Kaieteur News. 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
^ "Bauxite dust problem at Linden triggers EPA intervention". Stabroek News. 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
^ ^a ^b ^c Williams, Marisa Sonya; Oyedotun, Temitope D. Timothy; Simmons, Denise Adrianne (2020-10-01). "Assessment of water quality of lakes used for recreational purposes in abandoned mines of Linden, Guyana". Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes. 4 (4): 269–281. doi:10.1080/24749508.2019.1633220. S2CID 198401931.
^ ^a ^b Stabroek News (2016-02-07). "Change in gov't but justice still elusive, dismissed BCGI workers say". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
^ "Gov't concerned at impact of US sanctions on Rusal". Stabroek News. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
^ "Guyana - The Economy - Structure". countrystudies.us. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
^ Munslow, Barry (2019-06-04). Guyana: Microcosm of Sustainable Development Challenges. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-76345-8.
^ Vieira, Rickford (2014-09-09). "Alternative Minerals - Potential for Guyana (Part 1)" (PDF). Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
^ Szczesniak, Philip A. (2016). "The Mineral Industry of Guyana" (PDF). USGS. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
^ "Trade Policy Review" (PDF). World Trade Organization. 2015-07-28.

External links

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission

[CSMining-1] "Mining". countrystudies.us. U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved April 11, 2016. ...Guyana was known to have sizable reserves of bauxite, gold, and diamonds.

[:0-2] Gafar, John (2003). Guyana: From State Control to Free Markets. Nova Publishers. ISBN 978-1-59033-647-2.

[3] Lucas, Rawle (2013-04-19). "Misplaced attitude (Final)". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2020-11-28.

[:2-4] "Developing a jewellery sector in Guyana". Stabroek News. 2014-07-11. Retrieved 2020-11-28.

[:1-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Hilson, Gavin; Laing, Tim (2017-02-01). "Guyana Gold: A Unique Resource Curse?". The Journal of Development Studies. 53 (2): 229–248. doi:10.1080/00220388.2016.1160066. ISSN 0022-0388.

[:4-6] Colchester, Marcus (2002). Mining and Amerindians in Guyana. Ottawa, Ont.: North-South Institute. pp. 8–9. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.203.494. ISBN 1-896770-44-4.

[7] "The porkknocker contribution to Guyanese culture". Stabroek News. 2014-08-31. Retrieved 2020-12-18.

[8] Conde, Carlos (1966-12-15). "$5.5 Million in Gold Ore Awaits Mining by Prospectors in Guyana". San Bernardino Sun. Copley News Service. Retrieved 2020-12-19.

[9] "Peters Mine". mininglifeonline.net. Retrieved 2020-12-19.

[:6-10] "Toward the Greening of the Gold Mining Sector of Guyana: Transition Issues and Challenges | Publications" (PDF). publications.iadb.org. Retrieved 2020-11-30.

[11] "Guyana's gold rush turns dangerous". The World from PRX. Retrieved 2020-11-30.

[:5-12] "Around 15,000 Ozs gold smuggled each week - Trotman". Stabroek News. 2016-01-07. Retrieved 2020-11-30.

[13] "Guyana - Mining". countrystudies.us. Retrieved 2020-12-02.

[14] "Mining". GO-Invest. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2020-12-02.

[:7-15] "Guyana - History of the Economy". countrystudies.us. Retrieved 2020-12-02.

[:24-16] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j St. Pierre, Maurice (1975). "Race, The Political Factor And The Nationalization Of The Demerara Bauxite Company, Guyana". Social and Economic Studies. 24 (4): 481–503. ISSN 0037-7651. JSTOR 27861579.

[:62-17] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Spackman, Ann (1975). "The Role of Private Companies in the Politics of Empire: A Case Study of Bauxite and Diamond Companies in Guyana in the Early 1920s". Social and Economic Studies. 24 (3): 341–378. ISSN 0037-7651. JSTOR 27861568.

[:8-18] Evenden, Matthew (2011). "Aluminum, Commodity Chains, and the Environmental History of the Second World War". Environmental History. 16 (1): 69–93. doi:10.1093/envhis/emq145. ISSN 1084-5453. JSTOR 23050647.

[19] "Outcome of BOSAI Alumina plant feasibility study due early next year". Stabroek News. 2008-03-15. Retrieved 2020-11-28.

[:3-20] "New investments in Guyana's bauxite industry". Stabroek News. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2020-11-28.

[21] "First Bauxite commissions US$100M Bonasika mine". Stabroek News. 2020-02-21. Retrieved 2020-11-28.

[bmil-22] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "Bauxite mining in Linden…Economic and environmental impact". Kaieteur News. 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2022-08-01.

[23] "Bauxite dust problem at Linden triggers EPA intervention". Stabroek News. 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2020-11-28.

[:12-24] Williams, Marisa Sonya; Oyedotun, Temitope D. Timothy; Simmons, Denise Adrianne (2020-10-01). "Assessment of water quality of lakes used for recreational purposes in abandoned mines of Linden, Guyana". Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes. 4 (4): 269–281. doi:10.1080/24749508.2019.1633220. S2CID 198401931.

[:52-25] Stabroek News (2016-02-07). "Change in gov't but justice still elusive, dismissed BCGI workers say". Stabroek News. Retrieved 2022-08-01.

[26] "Gov't concerned at impact of US sanctions on Rusal". Stabroek News. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2020-11-28.

[27] "Guyana - The Economy - Structure". countrystudies.us. Retrieved 2020-12-02.

[28] Munslow, Barry (2019-06-04). Guyana: Microcosm of Sustainable Development Challenges. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-76345-8.

[29] Vieira, Rickford (2014-09-09). "Alternative Minerals - Potential for Guyana (Part 1)" (PDF). Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Retrieved 2020-11-30.

[30] Szczesniak, Philip A. (2016). "The Mineral Industry of Guyana" (PDF). USGS. Retrieved 2020-12-02.

[31] "Trade Policy Review" (PDF). World Trade Organization. 2015-07-28.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|none}}
-Mining is a significant contributor to the economy of '''[[Guyana]],''' owing to sizable reserves of [[bauxite]], [[gold]], and [[diamonds]].<ref name="CSMining">{{cite web|title=Mining|url=http://countrystudies.us/guyana/68.htm|website=countrystudies.us|publisher=U.S. Library of Congress|accessdate=April 11, 2016|quote=...Guyana was known to have sizable reserves of bauxite, gold, and diamonds.}}</ref> Much of these resources are found in Guyana's Hilly Sand and Clay belt, a region that makes up 20% of the country.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Gafar|first=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=odHg0flvH5UC&lpg=PR19&dq=guyana&lr&pg=PA3#v=snippet&q=gold&f=false|title=Guyana: From State Control to Free Markets|date=2003|publisher=Nova Publishers|isbn=978-1-59033-647-2|language=en}}</ref> The gold mining industry is made up of small and medium-scale operations that support as many as 12% of the population.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Hilson|first=Gavin|last2=Laing|first2=Tim|date=2017-02-01|title=Guyana Gold: A Unique Resource Curse?|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2016.1160066|journal=The Journal of Development Studies|volume=53|issue=2|pages=229–248|doi=10.1080/00220388.2016.1160066|issn=0022-0388}}</ref>
+'''Mining in Guyana''' is a significant contributor to the economy owing to sizable reserves of [[bauxite]], [[gold]], and [[diamonds]].<ref name="CSMining">{{cite web|title=Mining|url=http://countrystudies.us/guyana/68.htm|website=countrystudies.us|publisher=U.S. Library of Congress|access-date=April 11, 2016|quote=...Guyana was known to have sizable reserves of bauxite, gold, and diamonds.}}</ref> Much of these resources are found in Guyana's Hilly Sand and Clay belt, a region that makes up 20% of the country.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Gafar|first=John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=odHg0flvH5UC&dq=gold&pg=PA3|title=Guyana: From State Control to Free Markets|date=2003|publisher=Nova Publishers|isbn=978-1-59033-647-2|language=en}}</ref>
-== History ==
+== Gold ==
+In 2012, export receipts for gold amounted to US$1.5 billion, nearly half of the country's total export receipt value.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lucas|first=Rawle|date=2013-04-19|title=Misplaced attitude (Final)|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/04/19/business/misplaced-attitude-final/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref> All gold mined in the country must be sold to the Guyana Gold Board, and sent abroad for refining at the Royal Canadian Mint.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2014-07-11|title=Developing a jewellery sector in Guyana|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/07/11/business/developing-jewellery-sector-guyana/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref> The gold mining industry is made up of small and medium-scale operations that support as many as 12% of the population.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Hilson|first1=Gavin|last2=Laing|first2=Tim|date=2017-02-01|title=Guyana Gold: A Unique Resource Curse?|journal=The Journal of Development Studies|volume=53|issue=2|pages=229–248|doi=10.1080/00220388.2016.1160066|issn=0022-0388|doi-access=free}}</ref>
-In the 16th century, European explorers were drawn to the [[the Guianas]] due to rumors of a golden city called Manoa, ruled by the golden king [[El Dorado]]. This legend instigated settling of the region, but it wasn't until the 1840's when gold was found in significant quantities.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Colchester|first=Marcus|url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.203.494&rep=rep1&type=pdf|title=Mining and Amerindians in Guyana|publisher=North-South Institute|year=2002|isbn=1-896770-44-4|location=Ottawa, Ont.|pages=8-9}}</ref> After emancipation, small-scale gold mining was untaken by many newly-freed [[Afro-Guyanese people|Afro-Guyanese]], who still make up a significant portion of the modern mining industry.
+In the 16th century, European explorers were drawn to [[the Guianas]] due to rumors of a golden city called Manoa, ruled by the golden king [[El Dorado]]. This legend instigated settling of the region, but it wasn't until the 1840s when gold was found in significant quantities.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Colchester|first=Marcus|title=Mining and Amerindians in Guyana|publisher=North-South Institute|year=2002|isbn=1-896770-44-4|location=Ottawa, Ont.|pages=8–9|citeseerx=10.1.1.203.494}}</ref> After emancipation, small-scale gold mining was undertaken by many newly-freed [[Afro-Guyanese people|Afro-Guyanese]], who still make up a significant portion of the modern mining industry. Also known as [[pork-knocker]]s, these artisanal gold and diamond miners have created or been a part of the folklore in Guyana.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-08-31|title=The porkknocker contribution to Guyanese culture|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/08/31/sunday/arts-on-sunday/porkknocker-contribution-guyanese-culture/|access-date=2020-12-18|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref>
-Bauxite mining took off in the 1920's with substantial investment from large-scale, foreign operations such as Canada's Alcan and Reynold's of the USA.<ref name=":4" /> After Guyana's independence from Britain, large industries became nationalized but suffered from poor management, commodity price fluctuation, and global competition. When privatization was used to improve economic prospects, majority shares were purchased once again by foreign companies.
+In 1904, Peters Mine was the first mine opened in Guyana. From 1904 to 1909, it produced 39,800 ounces of gold (approximately 0.8 oz. per ton of ore), and in 1915 to 1916 produced another 1,103 ounces. Surveys conducted by U.S. geologists were favorable, but the mine was abandoned largely due to its inaccessibility.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Conde|first=Carlos|date=1966-12-15|title=$5.5 Million in Gold Ore Awaits Mining by Prospectors in Guyana|work=San Bernardino Sun|publisher=[[Copley News Service]]|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SBS19661215.1.82&srpos=67&e=-------en--20--61--txt-txIN-guyana-------1|access-date=2020-12-19}}</ref> Nonetheless, it remained the biggest mining operation in Guyana until [[Omai Mine]] was opened in 1993. Peters Mine was obtained in 1996 by [[Guyana Goldfields]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Peters Mine|url=https://mininglifeonline.net/company-article/peters-mine/9416|access-date=2020-12-19|website=mininglifeonline.net}}</ref>
-== Gold mining ==
-In 2012, export receipts for gold amounted to US$1.5 billion, nearly half the of the country's total export receipt value.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lucas|first=Rawle|date=2013-04-19|title=Misplaced attitude (Final)|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2013/04/19/business/misplaced-attitude-final/|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref>
-Government initiatives have favored domestic gold mining operations, such as the 1989 Mining Act which encouraged many small-scale mining companies.<ref name=":1" /> One of the rare exceptions was the opening of [[Aurora gold mine]], a large-scale Canadian-owned operation.<ref name=":1" /> Guyana's gold is sent abroad for refining at the Royal Canadian Mint.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2014-07-11|title=Developing a jewellery sector in Guyana|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2014/07/11/business/developing-jewellery-sector-guyana/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref>
+Government initiatives have favored domestic gold mining operations, such as the 1989 Mining Act which encouraged many small-scale mining companies.<ref name=":1" /> When Omai Mine closed in 2005 it was ten years  until the openings of two large-scale open pit mines in 2015: [[Aurora gold mine]], a Canadian-owned operation<ref name=":1" /> and [[Troy Resources]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Toward the Greening of the Gold Mining Sector of Guyana: Transition Issues and Challenges {{!}} Publications|url=https://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Toward-the-Greening-of-the-Gold-Mining-Sector-of-Guyana-Transition-Issues-and-Challenges.pdf|access-date=2020-11-30|website=publications.iadb.org}}</ref>
-Guyana has not been immune to many of the struggles typical of resource rich countries. The price of gold attracts workers away from agriculture labor for quick gains, the result of which can have a detrimental effect on Guyana's overall economy.<ref name=":1" /> [[Boomtown|Boomtowns]] are often plagued with issues related to prostitution and excessive violence.<ref name=":1" />
+Guyana has not been immune to many of the struggles typical of resource rich countries. The price of gold attracts workers away from agriculture labor for quick gains, the result of which can have a detrimental effect on Guyana's overall economy.<ref name=":1" /> [[Boomtown]]s are often plagued with issues related to prostitution and excessive violence.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Guyana's gold rush turns dangerous|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2011-12-08/guyanas-gold-rush-turns-dangerous|access-date=2020-11-30|website=The World from PRX|language=en}}</ref> Abandoned pits that accumulate water have become vector points for disease such as [[malaria]] and [[Dengue fever|dengue]].<ref name=":6" />
-Gold smuggling has become a major issue. Smugglers often go to [[Suriname]] to sell gold due to lower taxation of 1% tax and 2% royalty, compared to Guyana's 2% tax and 5% royalty<ref name=":1" />. US$11.5 million of gold was seized in Curacao in 2012.<ref name=":1" />
+Gold smuggling is a perennial issue. In 2016, the Minister of Natural Resources said that "approximately 15,000 ounces of gold is being smuggled from Guyana each week" with the possibility that gold from Columbia or Venezuela is also smuggled through the country's porous borders.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2016-01-07|title=Around 15,000 Ozs gold smuggled each week - Trotman|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/01/06/news/guyana/around-15000-ozs-gold-smuggled-week-trotman/|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref> Smugglers often go to [[Suriname]] to sell gold due to lower taxation of 1% tax and 2% royalty, compared to Guyana's 2% tax and 5% royalty.<ref name=":1" /> Brazil and the USA are also major destination points of smuggled gold.<ref name=":5" /> In 2012, US$11.5 million of gold was seized in Curacao.<ref name=":1" />
-A 1995 cyanide spill associated with large-scale gold mining caused significant damage to the eco-system of the Highland region.<ref name=":0" />
+Despite government enacting a ban on the use of [[Mercury (element)|mercury]], it is still used for gold extraction by small-scale operations.<ref name=":6" /> A 1995 cyanide spill associated with large-scale gold mining at Omai Mines caused significant damage to the eco-system of the Highland region.<ref name=":0" />
 == Bauxite ==
+Guyana's mines yield a high quality calcined bauxite, with uses in the refractory, abrasive and chemical markets for high temperature applications. Guyana's reserves of bauxite was known to be 350-million-tons. Major mining sites are at [[Linden, Guyana|Linden]], south of [[Georgetown, Guyana|Georgetown]], and [[Kwakwani]] on the [[Berbice River]]<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Guyana - Mining|url=http://countrystudies.us/guyana/68.htm|access-date=2020-12-02|website=countrystudies.us}}</ref> In 2016, 1,479,090 tonnes of bauxite was produced.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-03-25|title=Mining|url=http://goinvest.gov.gy/sectors/mining/|access-date=2020-12-02|website=GO-Invest|language=en-US}}</ref>
-Guyana's mines yield a high quality bauxite, with uses in the "refractory, abrasive and chemical markets".<ref name=":4" />
+=== History ===
-A major Bauxite mining facility is owned by BOSAI, a Chinese company since 2007<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-03-15|title=Outcome of BOSAI Alumina plant feasibility study due early next year|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2008/03/14/business/outcome-of-bosai-alumina-plant-feasibility-study-due-early-next-year/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref> and formerly by Omai Bauxite Company. Increases in bauxite production have led to bauxite dust air pollution in the Linden area by the facility.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-03-21|title=Bauxite dust problem at Linden triggers EPA intervention|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2008/03/21/business/bauxite-dust-problem-at-linden-triggers-epa-intervention/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref>
+[[File:Upper Demerara-Berbice in Guyana.svg|thumb|Upper Demerara-Berbice region in Guyana]]
+[[Bauxite mining]] began in 1914<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Guyana - History of the Economy|url=http://countrystudies.us/guyana/54.htm|access-date=2020-12-02|website=countrystudies.us}}</ref> and took off in the 1920s with substantial investment from large-scale, foreign operations such as Demerara Bauxite Company (Demba) owned by Canada's [[Alcan]], and Reynolds Bauxite Company owned by [[Reynolds Metals]] of the US.<ref name=":4" /> The first bauxite mine in the [[Upper Demerara-Berbice]] region opened in 1916.<ref name=":24"/> At that time, Guyana was still the British colony known as [[British Guiana]].<ref name=":62">{{Cite journal |last=Spackman |first=Ann |date=1975 |title=The Role of Private Companies in the Politics of Empire: A Case Study of Bauxite and Diamond Companies in Guyana in the Early 1920s |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/27861568 |journal=Social and Economic Studies |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=341–378 |jstor=27861568 |issn=0037-7651}}</ref> Aluminium became an important resource during the [[World War I|First World War]] as it was a key material to make aircraft, and so the global demand for bauxite increased, leading companies to expand development in Guyana.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last=Evenden |first=Matthew |date=2011 |title=Aluminum, Commodity Chains, and the Environmental History of the Second World War |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23050647 |journal=Environmental History |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=69–93 |doi=10.1093/envhis/emq145 |jstor=23050647 |issn=1084-5453}}</ref> The British government was unwilling to allow Alcan to own the bauxite mines in Guyana because the United States was in control of the Canadian company.<ref name=":62" /> The British government was unsuccessful at preventing Alcan from legally owning the bauxite mines in Guyana due to the United States government threatening to cease providing Britain with weapons needed to fight in the war.<ref name=":62" /> The [[British Aluminium|British Aluminium Company]] (B.A.C.) acquired leases to develop bauxite mines on the Christianburg land in Linden following World War I, in order to compete with Demba, who at the time, had control of the majority of bauxite in Guyana.<ref name=":62" /> In 1949, the B.A.C's leases were transferred to the Plantation Bauxite Company Ltd. and then transferred to Demba in 1957.<ref name=":62" />
+Bauxite production in the 1960s was around 3 million tons per year and by the early 1970s, the two companies made up 45 percent of the nation's foreign exchange earnings.<ref name=":7" /> After Guyana's independence from Britain, there was a political shift towards nationalizing these large, foreign-owned industries.<ref name=":7" /> The government of Guyana nationalized Demba in 1971.<ref name=":24">{{Cite journal |last=St. Pierre |first=Maurice |date=1975 |title=Race, The Political Factor And The Nationalization Of The Demerara Bauxite Company, Guyana |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/27861579 |journal=Social and Economic Studies |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=481–503 |issn=0037-7651 |jstor=27861579}}</ref> However, the resulting government-run industries suffered from poor management, commodity price fluctuation, and global competition and production fell to 1.3 million tons by 1988.<ref name=":7" />
-The other major mine in Linden is owned by Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. a subsidiary of Russian-owned [[Rusal]]. Labor disputes have been a major issue<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2012-04-20|title=New investments in Guyana’s bauxite industry|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2012/04/20/business/new-investments-in-guyana’s-bauxite-industry/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-02-07|title=Change in gov’t but justice still elusive, dismissed BCGI workers say|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/02/07/news/guyana/change-govt-justice-still-elusive-dismissed-bcgi-workers-say/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref> and US sanctions relating to Russian involvement in the 2016 elections.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-11|title=Gov’t concerned at impact of US sanctions on Rusal|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/04/11/news/guyana/govt-concerned-at-impact-of-us-sanctions-on-rusal/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref>
+When privatization was used to improve economic prospects, majority shares were purchased once again by foreign companies. In 1985, Reynolds Bauxite Company was one of the first foreign companies to return, providing managerial assistance to Guymine at Kwakwani.<ref name="CSMining" />
-First Bauxite Corporation made plans to develop mining at Bonasika in the Essequibo River,<ref name=":3" /> which after delays from lack of financing, started operations in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-21|title=First Bauxite commissions US$100M Bonasika mine|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2020/02/21/news/guyana/first-bauxite-commissions-us100m-bonasika-mine/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref>
+Omai Bauxite Company, owned by Canadian [[Iamgold|IAMGOLD]], was bought in 2007 by BOSAI, a Chinese company.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-03-15|title=Outcome of BOSAI Alumina plant feasibility study due early next year|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2008/03/14/business/outcome-of-bosai-alumina-plant-feasibility-study-due-early-next-year/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref> The other major mine in Berbice, formerly Aroaima Mining Company, is owned by Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc., a subsidiary of Russian-owned [[Rusal]]. The government maintains part ownership in both companies: 30% of Omai and 10% of Bauxite Company of Guyana.
-== Diamond production ==
-Guyana does not have a significant diamond cutting industry so nearly all exports are rough diamonds. In 2013, rough diamond exports totaled at US$12 million (144,000 Carats).<ref name=":2" /> The industry is mostly made up of medium-scale operations that use land [[dredging]] techniques<ref name=":4" /> however, diamond mining has been on the decline.
+First Bauxite Corporation made plans to develop mining at Bonasika in the Essequibo River,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2012-04-20|title=New investments in Guyana's bauxite industry|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2012/04/20/business/new-investments-in-guyana’s-bauxite-industry/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref> which after delays from lack of financing, started operations in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-21|title=First Bauxite commissions US$100M Bonasika mine|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2020/02/21/news/guyana/first-bauxite-commissions-us100m-bonasika-mine/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref>
+=== Aluminum ===
+Guyana had one alumina plant for separating aluminum oxide from raw bauxite ore, but it closed in 1981 as a result of "inefficient management, declining world prices for bauxite, and prolonged strikes by workers".<ref name="CSMining" /><ref name="bmil" /> Prior to closure, production was about 300,000 tons processed per year.<ref name="CSMining" />
+=== Environmental impacts ===
+Increases in bauxite production have led to bauxite dust air pollution in the Linden area by the facility.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-03-21|title=Bauxite dust problem at Linden triggers EPA intervention|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2008/03/21/business/bauxite-dust-problem-at-linden-triggers-epa-intervention/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref>
+Bauxite mining has impacted the rainforests and other habitats in Guyana through [[deforestation]], [[habitat fragmentation]], and [[soil degradation]].<ref name=":8" /> Bauxite exports increased by 400% in Guyana during the [[World War II|Second World War]], and so the environmental consequences became more severe due to the expanding industry.<ref name=":8" /> Tropical forests were cleared to create new mines and the [[Bayer process]] left behind [[red mud]] and air pollution.<ref name=":8" />
+The natural environment of the community Coomacka (Kumaka) in Upper Demerara-Berbice has been altered by bauxite mining.<ref name="bmil">{{Cite web |date=2017-03-12 |title=Bauxite mining in Linden…Economic and environmental impact |url=https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2017/03/12/bauxite-mining-in-linden-economic-and-environmental-impact/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Kaieteur News |language=en-US}}</ref> The construction of bauxite mines required sand to be cleared from the land, which eventually led to the formation of a sand beach by the Demerara River.<ref name="bmil" /> The sand beach has increased flooding in Coomacka.<ref name="bmil" />
+[[File:Linden_bauxite_plant.jpg|thumb|Bauxite plant in Linden, Guyana]]
+The mining companies did not implement restoration measures for the natural environment after bauxite mines were closed in Linden, and so pit lakes exist in areas where [[Open-pit mining|open pit mines]] used to be.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last1=Williams |first1=Marisa Sonya |last2=Oyedotun |first2=Temitope D. Timothy |last3=Simmons |first3=Denise Adrianne |date=2020-10-01 |title=Assessment of water quality of lakes used for recreational purposes in abandoned mines of Linden, Guyana |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/24749508.2019.1633220 |journal=Geology, Ecology, and Landscapes |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=269–281 |doi=10.1080/24749508.2019.1633220|s2cid=198401931 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Pit lakes can have negative impacts on groundwater.<ref name=":12" /> In 2018, some pit lakes in Linden were found to have higher levels of aluminium, manganese, and iron, and they were found to be acidic.<ref name=":12" />
+=== Social impacts ===
+The population of Upper Demerara-Berbice in 1960 was 17,553, with 38% of the people being local, and the other 62% having migrated to the area to seek work at the bauxite mines.<ref name=":24"/> The MacKenzie area of Upper Demerara-Berbice was socially and physically divided based on race during colonial rule of British Guiana.<ref name=":62"/> In 1960, about 74% of the white population resided in South MacKenzie, and 98% of the Black, brown, and mixed populations lived in North MacKenzie.<ref name=":24" /> The Demba company determined where the residents could live.<ref name=":24" /> The white population in South MacKenzie had larger houses that were built better and had sewage systems, whereas the houses in North MacKenzie were smaller and rarely had indoor bathrooms.<ref name=":62" /> The majority of non-manual jobs in MacKenzie were held by the white population, leaving the non-white population to have the lower-paid manual jobs.<ref name=":24" />
+The unequal working and living conditions the Black, brown, and mixed people of MacKenzie faced resulted in the formation of the British Guiana Labour Union (B.G.L.U.) in 1944.<ref name=":24" /> 1,900 workers were fired after the efforts to unionize in 1944.<ref name=":24" /> A 64-day strike in 1947 led to the union gaining official recognition, but this time under the British Guiana Mineworkers Union (G.M.W.U.).<ref name=":24" /> From 1962 to 1970, there were 47 strikes at Demba by the G.M.W.U. One notable strike was in 1964 when 3,000 employees went on strike for a week in response to a white employee calling the [[Afro-Guyanese]] workers "cannibals".<ref name=":24" />
+The 1981 closing of the Alumina Plant in Linden directly resulted in 1,600 people losing their jobs.<ref name="bmil"/> By the 1980s, bauxite production had decreased, with around 600 workers being a part of the bauxite industry in Linden.<ref name="bmil" /> Bauxite mining was the main industry in Linden, and so the reduction of bauxite mining led to many workers having to find employment outside of the city.<ref name="bmil" />
+In 2009, 57 employees of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. were fired for participating in a strike to campaign for higher wages and better workers' rights.<ref name=":52">{{Cite web |last=Stabroek News |date=2016-02-07 |title=Change in gov't but justice still elusive, dismissed BCGI workers say |url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/02/07/news/guyana/change-govt-justice-still-elusive-dismissed-bcgi-workers-say/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Stabroek News |language=en-US}}</ref> The employees who were a part of the strike were unable to seek employment at other bauxite mines due to their participation.<ref name=":52" />
+US sanctions relating to Russian involvement in the 2016 elections has created issues.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-11|title=Gov't concerned at impact of US sanctions on Rusal|url=https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/04/11/news/guyana/govt-concerned-at-impact-of-us-sanctions-on-rusal/|access-date=2020-11-28|website=Stabroek News|language=en-US}}</ref>
+== Diamonds ==
+Guyana does not have a significant diamond cutting industry so nearly all exports are rough diamonds. In 2013, rough diamond exports totaled at US$12 million (144,000 Carats).<ref name=":2" /> The industry is mostly made up of medium-scale operations that use land [[dredging]] techniques<ref name=":4" /> however, diamond mining has been on the decline. Historical production totals are difficult to produce due to the high rates of smuggling due to factors similarly affecting the gold industry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Guyana - The Economy - Structure|url=http://countrystudies.us/guyana/56.htm|access-date=2020-12-02|website=countrystudies.us}}</ref>
+Diamond mining techniques are very similar to that of gold mining processes, so there is a [[substitution effect]] between gold and diamonds based on the commodity price.<ref name=":6" />
 == Other minerals ==
-Other minerals that are mined in smaller scale include silica sand, shells, kaolin, semi-precious stone, and stone aggregate.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Munslow|first=Barry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IJ6RDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT26&lpg=PT26&dq=missile+dredges&source=bl&ots=YyThs2wb0b&sig=ACfU3U1_dvYxPmKjFVP2bUsVl7TpQuuQgw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjoy6WY_aTtAhVFMH0KHQX_CioQ6AEwCHoECAgQAg#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Guyana: Microcosm of Sustainable Development Challenges|date=2019-06-04|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-429-76345-8|language=en}}</ref>
+Other minerals that are mined in smaller scale include silica sand, shells, kaolin, semi-precious stone, and stone aggregate.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Munslow|first=Barry|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IJ6RDwAAQBAJ&dq=missile+dredges&pg=PT26|title=Guyana: Microcosm of Sustainable Development Challenges|date=2019-06-04|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-429-76345-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Vieira|first=Rickford|date=2014-09-09|title=Alternative Minerals - Potential for Guyana (Part 1)|url=https://www.ggmc.gov.gy/ggmc_web/web/sites/default/files/document/minerals_of_guyana_p1_rickford_vieira_09092014.pdf|access-date=2020-11-30|website=|publisher=Guyana Geology and Mines Commission}}</ref>
+== Petroleum ==
+{{Main|Petroleum exploration in Guyana}}
+In 2015, a major off-shore oilfield was discovered by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd. (a subsidiary of [[ExxonMobil]] of the United States, 45%; [[Hess Corporation]] of the United States, 30%; and [[China National Offshore Oil Corporation|CNOOC Ltd.]] of China, 25%). The Liza oilfield discovery was considered to be one of the biggest crude petroleum finds of the decade. In 2016, ExxonMobil announced Esso has discovered additional high-quality oil-bearing sandstone resources in the offshore Stabroek Block of the oilfield.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Szczesniak |first=Philip A. |date=2016 |title=The Mineral Industry of Guyana |url=https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/atoms/files/myb3-2015-guyana.pdf |access-date=2020-12-02 |website=[[USGS]]}}</ref>
+== Major Production Overview ==
+{| class="wikitable"
+|+Mining production, 2009-13<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2015-07-28|title=Trade Policy Review|url=https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/s320_e.pdf|access-date=|website=|publisher=World Trade Organization}}</ref>
+!
+!2009
+!2010
+!2011
+!2012
+!2013
+|-
+|Gold (kg)
+|9,325.8
+|9,542.9
+|11,293.4
+|13,643.7
+|14,963.8
+|-
+|Bauxite (tonnes)
+|1,448,000
+|1,010,000
+|1,827,000
+|2,210,000
+|1,694,000
+|-
+|Diamond (carats)
+|143,900
+|49,900
+|52,300
+|40,700
+|55,927
+|}
 == Important Organizations ==
@@ Line 42: / Line 109: @@
 {{reflist}}
+== External links ==
-{{mining-stub}}
-{{Guyana-stub}}
+* [https://www.ggmc.gov.gy/ Guyana Geology and Mines Commission]
+{{Economy of Guyana}}
+{{South America topic|Mining in}}
 [[Category:Mining in Guyana| ]]

v t e Economy of Guyana
Currency: Guyanese dollar
Utilities	Energy Communications Transportation
Trading and banking	History of Trade Banking Guyana Stock Exchange
Industries	Agriculture Sugar Rice Peanut Tourism Mining Petroleum
Companies	Guyana Sugar Corporation National Milling Company of Guyana

v t e Mining in South America
Sovereign states	Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela
Dependencies and other territories	Falkland Islands French Guiana South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands