The Morabisi Lithium and Tantalum Project’s first phase has been completed and deemed a success, says Greenpower Energy Limited Company, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gerard King.
According to a GINA press release, the project is a collaborative one between the Australian company, Greenpower Energy and the Canadian-based Guyana Strategic Metals (GSM) Inc., and the first phase was conducted from March to June 2017. It aims to explore for rare earth minerals and lithium in Region Seven, and to see if the area has enough deposits to make it profitable for mining.
“We are very pleased with that, because it means we can go ahead and find out how much lithium is within that area,” King was quoted in the GINA release, as saying, whilst adding, “We are very pleased that it is in Guyana, there is a very positive attitude towards development of minerals.”
“[Lithium mines]… opens up a different level of opportunities and natural resources sector,” Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes was quoted as saying in the press release.
According to the GINA release, the second phase of the project will commence as soon as the dry season begins and will further explore the types of deposits found. Greenpower’s geologist John Watts explained that “the first steps are to quantify the amount of lithium present,” and see if there is enough for mining operations.
Greenpower’s CEO King, in the release, explained that once sufficient quantities are found, mining operations will commence and Guyana will benefit from royalties and from infrastructural improvements in the hinterland region. “It will take some time because we have to do a lot of measuring and economic studies,” King was further quoted as saying.
Broomes noted that by the end of the year some US$1m will be plugged into the economy, and through the exploration works and inputs, a number of jobs will be created with the second phase, according to the GINA release.
The Australian company’s visit was prompted by the minister’s recent attendance at Latin America Down Under, the annual forum that brings together government and private sector representatives of the mining sector from Australia, Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held in Perth, Western Australia.
