RUSAL (Russian Aluminium), which shuttered bauxite mining operations in Guyana six years ago at the height of a raging industrial dispute, has agreed to return to the upper Berbice area, officials said on Monday.
The first signal came from Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh in his 2026 national budget presentation.
He said the government a “few days ago” agreed with the company beginning preparatory works this year.
He said “in 2026 the operator will advance work to restore all critical systems so that production can safely and reliably resume”.
Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat confirmed to Demerara Waves Online News that it was in fact RUSAL who had packed up its machinery and other equipment in Aroaima, Upper Berbice after a strike — sparked off by the laying off of more than 100 workers because it could not get duty-free concession on fuel — turned ugly with the blockading of boats and the destruction of property.
The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBG&WU) had preferred to see RUSAL leave Guyana rather than remain and abuse workers’ rights.
Closure of RUSAL had also triggered the pulling out of the German shipping company, Oldendorff, that was responsible for the transhipment of bauxite to stockpile vessels near the Atlantic Ocean for loading onto international cargo ships.
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