The world’s largest explosive company, Orica Mining Services, recently disclosed that it plans to immediately expand its operations in Guyana with a well managed explosives warehouse facility. It is also considering the installation of an explosives plant.
This announcement was made by Brian Gillespie, Orica’s Group Executive and President of Latin America during a two day summit which started on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel. The event is being held in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
Mark De Castro, Orica’s Colombia and Caribbean General Manager, explained that the summit was part of Orica’s aggressive initiative to provide all existing operations and quarry startups with continuous technical support and training needed to optimize production to support to the construction sector.
During his remarks, Gillespie said Orica currently provides explosives to Guyana through a sophisticated supply chain from its factories in the USA, Peru, Columbia, Mexico and Brazil, to ensure that regardless of world market conditions, all end users get their product. He expressed that even when the supply of raw materials was complicated by Russian war sanctions, Orica ensured that none of its customer’s mining operations were impacted by quickly using its expansive resources to obtain raw materials worldwide.
To increase its regional reach, he said Orica is actively considering the imminent installation of an explosives plant in Guyana. If installed, he said it would serve not only Guyana, but also neighboring Caribbean countries.
During his address, Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat expressed appreciation for Orica’s investment in Guyana’s quarrying and gold mining sector. He noted that Orica’s initiatives have been key in supporting government’s infrastructure projects. He also expressed support for its planned expansion.
Guyana Standard understands that Orica has provided services in Guyana since the 1990’s.
Its intensive blaster training summit comes to a close today and has seen participation from over 100 participants.
