Which mineral resources are important to Guyana’s economy?

Guyana possesses a variety of mineral resources that have historically played a significant role in its economy. The most important of these is bauxite, with extensive deposits located between the Demerara and Berbice rivers that have established the country as one of the world’s leading producers.1

Other notable mineral resources include:

• Gold: Found in both alluvial and subsurface deposits, gold is extracted by independent prospectors as well as through small- and medium-scale mining operations.1
• Diamonds: These are mined in the interior rivers, particularly within the Mazaruni and other rivers of the Pacaraima Mountains.1
• Manganese: Significant deposits are located at Matthews Ridge in the northwest.1
• Other Minerals: The country also contains deposits of copper, iron ore, molybdenite, nickel, kaolin (china clay), graphite, and white sand, the latter of which is utilized in glass manufacturing.1

Additionally, the discovery of rich offshore oil fields in the Stabroek Block has transformed the national economy since 2015, with production beginning in 2019.2