In a significant development for Guyana’s mining sector, Russian aluminum giant RUSAL has finalized arrangements to restart bauxite mining operations in the Upper Berbice region after a six-year absence prompted by a severe industrial dispute. The announcement came during Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh’s 2026 national budget presentation, where he revealed that the government had reached an agreement with the company “a few days ago” to commence preparatory works this year.
Minister Singh stated that throughout 2026, the operator will progress work to restore all critical systems to enable safe and reliable production resumption. Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat corroborated the news, confirming to Demerara Waves Online News that the returning company is indeed RUSAL, which had previously withdrawn its machinery and equipment from Aroaima following violent labor unrest.
The original dispute erupted when RUSAL dismissed over 100 workers after failing to obtain duty-free concessions on fuel, sparking strikes that escalated into boat blockades and property destruction. The Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBG&WU) had initially advocated for RUSAL’s complete departure from Guyana rather than continued operation amid alleged workers’ rights violations.
The company’s 2020 closure had ripple effects across the supply chain, including the withdrawal of German shipping firm Oldendorff, which had been responsible for transshipping bauxite to stockpile vessels near the Atlantic Ocean for loading onto international cargo ships. The return of RUSAL signals potential economic reactivation for the region’s mining-dependent communities, though it remains to be seen how labor relations will evolve following the previous contentious departure.