PRIME Minister Sam Hinds has said that the Government will soon be approaching potential shareholders to participate in the mining operations currently being run by the Aroaima Mining Company.

In an exclusive interview with Government Information Agency (GINA), the Prime Minister named Viceroy Shipping, Boskalis International and J.P. Knights Shipping as the three parties. These companies are currently part of the mining operations in the Berbice River. However, with Alcoa’s decision to give up its 50 per cent share of the operations, the way is no clear for Aroaima to receive new partners.

Alcoa has until October 31 to bring their equity position to a close, the Prime Minister explained. However, Alcoa’s offer of its shares to Government could be sealed by December 2002, he added. Mr. Hinds said Government sees itself as transitory shareholders with Aroaima, which makes it possible for investors to approach Government.

The Prime Minister also announced that a team comprising Head of the Privatisation Unit, Mr. Winston Brassington, and Geology and Mines Commissioner, Mr. Robeson Benn, are leaving shortly for the U.S. The main purpose of their visit is to meet with Reynolds Incorporated/Alcoa, Viceroy and Ormet alumina plant officials to seal arrangements for the American Bauxite Company’s ongoing operations. The visit is also aimed at finalising Alcoa’s withdrawal from the bauxite industry.

While in the US, the Guyana team will also meet with key officials of Viceroy shipping to discuss the terms of their continued operations in the Berbice River. The opportunity will also be taken to approach Viceroy on its potential partnership with Aroaima.

A similar deal is also to be sealed between the local visiting team and J.P. Knights and Boskalis International via teleconferencing.

Brassington and Benn will be accompanied by Adviser on Mining and Finance within the Privatisation Unit, Mr. Chris Hall. Hall was seconded to the Privatisation Unit under the Department for International Development (DFID) programme. DFID comes through the assistance of the United Kingdom Government.

Under Aroaima’s continued operations in January 2002, between 80 and 100 employees stand to lose their jobs. Fearing for their positions, a group of workers abandoned camp in Mapletown, Berbice, and picketed the Prime Minister’s office.

The workers’ demands included return to work without disciplinary action and an immediate pay off.

Prime Minister Hinds told GINA that Aroaima would have to work within its budget in making payments to those workers who will be made redundant. He further explained that Aroaima is operating with a “tight” budget since Alcoa ceased to be its main partner.

Government is satisfied that Aroaima can run off its operations without their assistance, the Prime Minister maintained.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union, Mr. Charles Sampson, told GINA that all the workers who walked off the mine site recently, are back on the job. Sampson said no disciplinary action was meted out to them, but that their earnings will reflect their “off”” days.

According to the union official, the strike did not affect the mining operation, since those who were protesting represented a small percentage of the total workforce.

The union and management are to meet soon to work out the new terms of employment of the Aroaima mining operations.