As Guyana’s construction sector experiences significant expansion since 2020, local stone suppliers are now expanding operations to keep up with demand.
The sector is estimated to have expanded by 26.8 percent in 2023, building on the growth of 26.3 percent observed in 2022. Growth in the sector continues to be driven by intensified activity in both the private and public sectors, with a strong construction component in the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). This was recently revealed by the Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh during his presentation of 2024’s $1.146 Trillion budget.
Cognizant of the demand for sand and stone, Dr Singh told the National Assembly on Monday that the government has been proactive in supporting the expansion of sand and stone production to keep pace with the rapid growth in the sector.
**Sand**
He noted that in 2023, sand extraction was conducted at 31 legal operations producing over 7.8 million tonnes for the year, a substantial increase from 18 operations in 2020 which produced less than 700,000 tonnes.
The minister reported that operations have expanded to include strategic stockpiles and ramping up of barging capacity to serve the intensified developmental efforts across the country. Beneficial occupation of sand pit property is also being reviewed to ensure supplies expand to meet growing demand, and traditional day time operations have evolved into 24-hour operations which have reduced truck cycle times.
**Stone**
The minister also noted that over the last three years, quarry capacity has moved from six, at the end of 2020, to 10 functioning quarries in 2023 and more than doubling the amount being shipped from quarry sites.
Four of the 10 existing producers expanded capacity in 2023 and the other six are in the process of expanding. The House was also informed that over US$20 million has been invested by the private sector in both small and large barges, tugs, pontoons, crushers, trucks, and cranes to increase capacity to produce and transport from site to local markets.
Notably, in 2023, two major companies were able to move from licence for exploration stage to actual production within a year. This development, he said, is unprecedented but signals private sector determination to participate in the ongoing construction boom.
Already, in 2024, an eleventh quarry has started operations in January and another three quarries will become operational later this year.
