Over $160 million will be invested in the start-up of the proposed Stone Aggregate Quarry at Arisaru in Region Ten.
Johil Commercial and Transport Agency recently applied for an environmental authorisation to operate a stone quarry at Arisaru, Essequibo River, in Region Ten and in its Project Summary said that projected start-up costs are estimated to be $164 million
It was stated that $115 million will go towards the plant, machinery and equipment, $8 million to mine development expenses, $9 million for building and civil works, $1.5 million for furniture and fixtures and $5.5 million for vehicles. Some $25 million is to be allocated for initial working capital.
According to the EPA, the proposed location for the quarry is within the Potaro mining district. The project will disrupt 1,200 acres of land but will only use seven percent of the allotted area for clearance and extraction of aggregate, establishment of mining pits, buildings and internal road for the operation.
It was stated that there are no nearby communities within the immediate vicinity of the site, with the nearest being Linden and Mabura Hill, which are located 80km and 30km away, respectively.
The EPA said that while the operation may result in impacts to water and air quality, biodiversity and soil, the minimisation of vegetation clearance, construction of a sedimentation pond for storm run-off and implementation of other best management practices for erosion control will mitigate those impacts.
Persons who believe that they may be affected by the project have been invited to lodge an appeal against the Agency’s decision within the next 30 days.
The project is expected to last for at least six years with operations to start by July 2022 once environmental authorisation is given. An environmental Management Plan has since been submitted and can be found on the EPA’s website.
A series of applications have been made for the starting up of quarries since the PPP/C entered office last August.
