Guyana’s mining sector is well-established, contributing significantly to the country's economy through the extraction of gold, diamonds, bauxite, and other quarriable materials such as sand and stone. The country has vast geological potential, with around 36% of its landmass consisting of highly mineralized crust, including the Greenstone Belts and the Roraima Formation. Gold remains a major contributor to the economy, representing 8.3% of GDP and 58.2% of non-oil export earnings. The sector also includes untapped opportunities in semi-precious minerals, rare earth elements, and industrial minerals like kaolin and potash. The mining sector is projected to grow by 34.1% in 2023, driven by expansions in petroleum, gold, bauxite, and quarrying activities.
Investment Opportunities
- Gold Mining: Large-scale gold mining with substantial undeveloped reserves (14.3 million ounces) and investment opportunities in medium and small-scale gold mining operations.
- Bauxite Mining: Development of high-quality bauxite deposits with potential for further processing and refining into alumina and aluminum production.
- Diamonds and Precious Stones: Investment in diamond mining, especially in the under-explored Roraima Formation and exploration of semi-precious stones like amethyst, agate, jasper, and topaz for the jewelry industry.
- Rare Earth Elements (REE) and Base Metals: Exploration of strategic minerals like lithium, scandium, and other rare earth and critical elements, driven by the global shift towards greener economies and electric vehicle technologies.
- Quarrying and Construction Materials: Production of sand, stone, and other aggregates to support the growing construction sector and investment opportunities in value added, eg. in Silica Sand (99% purity) for industrial
- Industrial Minerals
- Geochemical Exploration
- Value-Added and Downstream Processing
Incentives for Investors
- Tax Remissions: Available on the purchase of equipment and materials for mining operations.
- Duty Exemptions: Large-scale mining operations are eligible for duty-free imports on machinery and supplies under formalized Investment Agreements.
- Joint Ventures: Local miners are open to partnerships, especially in medium and small-scale mining, offering foreign investors entry points through capital investment.
- Export Market Access: Guyana’s mineral resources are competitive in regional and international markets, with superior quality products and proximity to major export destinations.
- Growing Demand: Infrastructure projects, green energy shifts, and global construction booms are driving demand for Guyana’s minerals and aggregates.
These investment opportunities, combined with a supportive legal and fiscal framework, make Guyana’s mining sector highly attractive for both domestic and international investors
