Last evening, President Irfaan Ali and Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh gave their reviews of the bauxite industry on a live broadcast on Facebook. The president outlined that the sector faced its largest decline in the 2015 to 2020 period.
According to President Ali, there was an almost 50% decline in the number of workers in the bauxite industry between 2014, and when the People’s Progressive Party resumed office in 2020.
The Head of State further shared that the loss of roughly 600 jobs was one of the many struggles faced by the bauxite industry.
He further noted that the Government is working to resuscitate the industry and expects 60% growth in 2024.
Minister Singh pointed out that this projected growth will be spurred by the recent commission of a US$115 million Kiln #5, and a Maz Project at Linden, Region Ten.
This recent investment is expected to create about 1,000 jobs and will be the first kiln built since the early days of bauxite mining in the 1970s.