Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc has been fined $1.5m for an oil spill that made its way into the Demerara River.
Yesterday, the bauxite miner met Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and a team including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) representatives; Kemraj Parsaram, Director of Compliance Enforcement and Aminah McPherson-Damon, Legal Advisor, to discuss the company’s liability for the accidental release of waste oil into the waterways from their facility in March, 2016. A release from the Ministry of Natural Resources yesterday said that the spill made its way into the Demerara River affecting surrounding drainage waterways in the Region 10.
On March 30, an investigation was conducted by the EPA in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10, to determine the source of the spill and the remediation that was needed. Following the investigation, Bosai was found responsible and the release said that the company accepted responsibility for its negligence.
As part of the agreed menu of measures to address the environmental impact of the spill, and to build better community relations, the release said that General Manager of Bosai, Robert Shang accompanied by Maj. Gen. (ret’d) Norman McLean “committed to clean and maintain the area between Bosai’s north gate and Washer Pond Road including, clearing of verges and drainage work, and will also provide a 4 year scholarship to a student from Region 10 to pursue a degree in Environmental Science at the University of Guyana. Further, the company will pay a fine of (GYD) 1.5 million dollars.”
