The Ministry of Natural Resources says it is “cautiously optimistic” that there is a favourable resolution in sight for the US government and Rusal, dulling the threat to jobs within the local workforce.
“The Ministry has been monitoring this unfolding saga for several months, and making necessary interventions, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has provided quiet diplomatic support, and is pleased that following a series of extensions that led to the postponement of the enforcement of the sanctions, a permanent and favourable resolution is in sight,” a release from the ministry said yesterday.
It was noted that Rusal owns 90% of the Aroaima, Berbice-based Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) and employs over 500 persons at its operations on the Berbice River between Kwakwani and Linden. The majority of those workers are said to be Guyanese.