Just over 324,000 acres of land in Region Seven have been set aside for the exploration for rare earth metals, such as Lithium and Nickel.
An order, signed by the Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and published on February 24th, 2018 in the Official Gazette, reserves the tracts, except all lands lawfully held or occupied, for prospecting operations by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). The reservation is “without prejudice” to the power of the Minister to permit any person to carry on prospecting operations for the benefit, wholly or partly, of the GGMC.
The minister’s order allows GGMC to conduct geological and geophysical survey for Lithium, Tantalum, Niobium, Rare Earth Elements, Gemstones, Chromium, Nickel and Cobalt.