The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it will continue to work with the Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) as it takes steps to install a dust collection system for Kiln #13 used to process bauxite at its operations plant in Linden.
This move follows closely on the heels the commissioning of a dust collector at Kiln #14, a press release from the EPA said.
The EPA noted that the installation of dust collection systems for two kilns would be a first in the history of the country’s bauxite industry.
The dust collection system for Kiln #14 was put into full operation last Friday, after years of delays along with complaints by residents of the town about medical problems caused by the emissions.
On the direction of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, the EPA has been working to address the dust emissions caused by Bosai’s operations. After a number of inspections, meetings and letters, the EPA said it has been able to work with the company to a point where significant infrastructural investments are being made to reduce the dust pollution.
A joint inspection by officers from the ministry, the EPA and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission was conducted on June 27 to check on the progress of the installation of the dust collector systems for kilns #13 and #14 and to finalise the dates for completion of works.
Work on kiln #13 is about 60% complete and is expected to be operational by September. “To date, the dust collection system has already been procured and delivered and foundation works have been completed and installation is ongoing,” the release said, adding that the EPA is committed to seeing the project to fruition. Once the installation is completed and is operational, the EPA “will continue to monitor the operation, and provide further guidance and support to ultimately ensure that Linden is free of dust pollution.”
