Bauxite takeovers may affect Bermine, Linmine bids - PM Stabroek News March 25, 2000 There is the likelihood that by next Friday, the government may not receive any bids for the Linden Mining Enterprise (Linmine) or the Berbice Mining Enterprise (Bermine) and may have to consider Glencore Ltd's offer for Bermine. President Bharrat Jagdeo said yesterday that the government was experiencing difficulties in securing bids for the two mining companies and could not say when the two enterprises were expected to go under private management. Contacted for details, Prime Minister Sam Hinds explained that it was the consolidations and rearrangements in the bauxite, alumina and aluminium as well as the refractory industries which were causing the uncertainty. While the government has shortlisted a consortium with Texas Ohio to bid for both Linmine and Bermine, RASC 2000 as another bidder for Linmine and Aroaima to bid for Bermine, with the exception of RASC 2000, consolidation or reorganisation has taken place with the potential bidders. Reynolds has been absorbed by Alcoa World and there has been a reorganisation within the Texas Ohio grouping. Hinds said these bigger events overshadowed the issue of bidding for Linmine and Bermine and indicated that he was not certain what would take place on March 31, the deadline for bids for the two enterprises. "I have to take account of those changes and I am not sure what impact they will have on bids," said Hinds. Meanwhile Glencore Ltd, a Connecticut-based, USA player in the industry is here to explore the possibility of getting into partnership with the government for Bermine, and top management from the firm is due next week for talks. Hinds said that while he was willing to see the company and discuss Bermine with it, he would not be able to give any commitment until after March 31. (GITANJALI SINGH)