Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) is aiming to install a US$6M dust collector at its bauxite plant by October, allowing affected Lindeners to breathe a sigh of relief after four decades of pollution.
The groundwork to facilitate the erection of the collection unit has commenced in the bauxite plant, which sits in the centre of the town. It is to be completed between September and October this year.
Senior Personnel Officer at BOSAI Mineral Group Guyana Incorporated, Vance Reid said that several pivotal components of the dust collection unit are already in the country. He added that engineers are on the ground working on the foundation for the unit, while the construction of the remaining parts continues in China. “This is a big undertaking,” he said, while noting that the size would be on par with two kilns.
The unit will be attached to kilns 13 and 14 and is expected to completely eliminate the dust nuisance, which has been plaguing the town since the early 1970s. Bosai had previously raised the stack of kiln 10, which Reid said solved the dust emission problem by 100% for that specific kiln.
The company inherited the dust pollution problem after buying out the previous operation.
In 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had engaged the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Bosai to address the situation. The dust pollution had been a major concern of the agency for several years while residents became particularly concerned when the bauxite company increased its production target. An Environmental Impact Assessment was conducted and measures were recommended to be implemented to address the dust problem.
However, since then Bosai has missed previous deadlines for installation of the dust collector. It promised to have the unit installed in 2009, but blamed the effects of the global economic crisis for its failure to do so. Reid said that despite the significant setbacks, work never ceased in terms of design preparation and feasibility studies.
As a result of the unfulfilled promises from Bosai and previous companies, Lindeners have been sceptical about a solution. They have also accused the government of being too lenient with Bosai. Several persons have blamed the high incidence of respiratory infections in the community on the dust and chemicals believed to have been emitted from the company’s kilns. However, the company said it had conducted a careful study which dispelled the claims of the emission of chemicals. Meanwhile, Reid said that it is not a proven fact that the dust is responsible for respiratory problems in the community. He also stated that over the past few years the company has been sponsoring medical outreach programmes at Linden, including one that focused on general health issues. The company has promised to continue in the same light even after the installation of the dust collector.
Bosai, through its public relations and personnel units, recently commenced a television programme designed specifically to keep residents abreast of the progress being made on the installation of the dust collection unit.
