The Russian Aluminium Company (Rusal) has announced plans to increase bauxite production by 1,900,000 tonnes next year, during a recent meeting with President Donald Ramotar at the Office of the President.
Director of Rusal Alumina and Bauxite Business Valery Matvienko led the team, which included Rusal’s Head of Representative Office in Guyana Vladimir Permyakov and Russian Ambassador to Guyana Nikolay Smirnov, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported. The team also revealed plans to start work on a new deposit next year.
The meeting, which also included Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud, also discussed the aluminium and alumina bauxite market at the global level. The company procured a fleet of equipment and will soon be mining in Kurubuka and Korite, which have a combined deposit of close to 80 million tonnes, GINA said.
The Rusal representatives also talked about cooperation in areas other than bauxite mining as part of its commitment to cultivating and improving relations with Kwakwani, the Berbice River community where its operations are based, GINA said. It recently sponsored five students in Kwakwani to pursue geological studies at reputable institutions in Russia, while offering training to its onsite operators. About 1,000 persons are employed directly or indirectly in Rusal’s operations.
According to GINA, Persaud toured the company’s operations in August and met privately with executives to discuss and seek solutions to concerns regarding discrepancies between the company and community.
Rusal has been operating in the Region 10 community since 2007 after sealing an agreement for government to hold 10 per cent shares in the company.
