China is to evacuate at least 12 of its critically ill manganese mine workers from Guyana on Monday, a well placed Public Health Ministry official said Saturday. Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence could not be reached for comment and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said he did not receive permission to speak with the media. Sources had indicated that ...
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BCGI-RUSAL strike ends, union-management relationship to be entrenched
A strike at Russian Aluminium (RUSAL)-controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. (BCGI) ended on Tuesday with a decision to reinstate all 61 workers, and an assurance that the union’s role in representing all workers is fully entrenched. The 61 workers were dismissed last month after going on strike to protest a one-percent increase in salaries. Another 30 or more workers ...
Read More »RUSAL-BCGI management finally recognises union, to begin talks Friday
The management of United Company Russian Aluminium (UC RUSAL)-controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) on Monday decided to recognise the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU), paving the way for the two sides to open negotiations on outstanding grievances. “The issue of recognition is not on the table. The company has made it clear that this is the ...
Read More »RUSAL-BCGI workers will continue river blockade until labour dispute is resolved – unions
The United Company Russian Aluminium (RUSAL)-controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana, Inc. on Monday called on striking workers to stop blocking the upper Berbice River and allow bauxite-laden barges to pass in exchange for the reinstatement of 61 workers, officials said. Government’s Chief Labour Officer, Charles Ogle and Junior Minister of Labour, Keith Scott said the company has tabled proposals to ...
Read More »RUSAL suspends Guyana operations, moves equipment to warehouse for protection
Russian aluminum giant, RUSAL, has suspended bauxite production in Guyana and moved its equipment to a warehouse for protection, the Russian news agency, Sputnik, reported Sunday. “At the moment, the activities of the mining department are still suspended; equipment has been moved to a warehouse and is under protection,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying. Aggrieved workers began blocking the ...
Read More »RUSAL-BCGI: Gov’t to consider implications of “either them closing or we closing them”- Trotman
As the Labour Department hopes to meet with the management of the Russian Aluminium (RUSAL)-controlled Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) and the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU) in yet another move to reinstate 61 dismissed workers, government is considering whether to shut down the operations. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman said “we are very disappointed and ...
Read More »EPA refutes reports that Aurora gold mine resumed underground mining
Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday refuted reports that Aurora Gold Mine has resumed underground mining. EPA Director, Dr. Vincent Adams said the company was merely authorised to gather data to support its application for a permit to mine underground. “This permit is to conduct testing to collect data for the application of a permit so there is no ...
Read More »South Africa to assist Guyana’s mining sector
South Africa and Guyana on Friday inked a wide-ranging declaration that could see this country benefitting in a range of areas. Signed by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Godfrey Oliphant and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, the declaration provides for that southern African nation to assist Guyana with mapping among other areas. “At the invitation of the ...
Read More »GGMC wants to pilot South Africa alternative offer of mercury-free gold mining
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is considering the commercial mining of gold using mercury-free recovery methods such as the one that South Africa is offering to provide this country, ministers from both countries said Wednesday. Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman said he was aware that the GGMC has been discussing the possibility of becoming a gold ...
Read More »BCGI-RUSAL workers block Berbice River to prevent bauxite barges from passing; union requests compulsory arbitration
The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union (GB&GWU) on Wednesday reinforced its demand for a two-week old industrial dispute to be settled by arbitration, even as aggrieved workers blocked the Berbice River where barges collect bauxite. GB&GWU General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis said he formally asked Senior Labour Minister, Amna Ally to activate compulsory arbitration whose findings and recommendations would be ...
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