Bittersweet Xmas celebrations at Omai
By Shauna Jemmott
Guyana Chronicle
December 23, 2004
OMAI Gold Mines Limited, scheduled to end gold production here during next year, hosted its final Christmas party last Saturday at the Essequibo mine site.
The celebration was bittersweet as many of the workers who have spent most of their lives at Omai have already been sent away permanently, while some are scheduled to follow soon.
Despite this, those who assembled for the quite colourful and celebratory cultural presentation seemed to be enjoying themselves.
The show, in the Mess Hall at Hotel Omai, featured dance performances by the National Dance Company, Demerara Dancers and the Linden group Hearts of Flame.
But one of the most interesting features was the `Gift Dip’ by Omai and Linmine Bauxite Union, treating randomly selected employees, and union members, with Christmas presents that were placed under a decorated Christmas tree.
The workers were later entertained by the Mingles band at the popular Omai benab.
The company’s General Manager Robert Walish announced that its production since the Canadian-based parent firm Cambior Inc. started mining here in the 1990s has reached almost 3.5 million ounces of gold.
He commended the efforts of all those who have worked with Omai for contributing towards its success.
“This is a great credit to the Guyanese workforce. We therefore wish to thank all of you here and those that have moved on to other opportunities for their contribution in making Omai Gold Mines a leader in gold mining,” Walish said.
He said that particular achievement has “enhanced Guyana’s reputation for gold production throughout the world”.
Omai has achieved tremendous success despite the challenges faced over the years, he reported.
He listed the 1995 cyanide waste spill from the mine’s tailings pond into the Essequibo River and low gold prices during years of highest production among the challenges.
“A natural resource was exploited and, in the process, over twelve billion (G$12 billion) or fifty eight million US dollars (US$58,000,000) was earned by employees to support their families and spend in Guyana and improve their standard of living,” he said.
The General Manager said hours of skills training to employees by Omai add up to tens of thousands and will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
He said the skills passed down have enabled many to spearhead work at other Cambior properties, such as the bauxite company in Linden and Rosebel Mine in neighbouring Suriname.
“The infrastructure of Guyana was improved for commerce and trade, specifically in the form of the Mabura/Yaya roads, the airstrip at Omai and the remote telecommunications network.”
Walish said Cambior will leave all those for beneficial use to Guyana.
“… the Government of Guyana received over fifty million US dollars in royalty payments… employees paid over US$40 million in employment taxes…and many other taxes, fees and local purchases,” he noted.
He said all those who worked at Omai were justifiably proud of lending a hand in the creation of the legacy.
He said although the mining life of Omai is drawing to a close, Cambior has further registered its presence here with its recent investment in the bauxite industry, through Omai Bauxite Mines Incorporated. A power plant is also being established, he said.
“The spirit of Omai Gold Mines will live on through these endeavours…We wish to sincerely thank all of the employees for their enthusiastic contribution to our efforts here this year.”
He announced that the workers will be paid a 3.6 per cent fourth quarter incentive bonus, which was given to them Sunday.
The final Fennel Pit mined by Omai has already been closed and the company is currently milling from ore stored for gold production.