By Cathy Wilson

The management of Bosai Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc says that they are to reduce dust emissions from kiln 13, Kiln 14 and Kiln 10 (Dryer) to improve air quality in Linden.
Residents of the town and the PNCR recently complained about the seriousness of  the problem.

The Chinese bauxite mining company Bosai has been working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on the best dust control methods for the kilns.

In an interview with Stabroek News, Personnel and Industrial Relations Superintendent Peter Benny said that several meetings were held with the EPA and GGMC to discuss Bosai’s Plans for dust collector installation.  A meeting was held on September 2, 2008 at Bosai at which time it pledged to produce a revised proposal of plans for dust collector installations and an outline of all issues discussed at the meeting by September 12th, 2008.  This proposal was submitted to both agencies within the allotted time frame.  The agencies have since informed that they formally agree on the timelines proposed by Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc, he said. “The management of Bosai will continue to work in partnership with the agencies at all stages of the proposal to ensure that safer environmental conditions are achieved resulting in sustainability of the Linden Community.” Benny said.

A team of consultants from Luoyang Institute of Refractories Research (LIRR), a wholly owned subsidiary of China Iron & Steel Industry & Trade Group Corporation, that has passed the ISO 9000 international quality system certification  has already been contracted to work on the design of the dust collectors for kiln 13 and kiln 14 and are expected in Linden in one week when the actual design of the dust collector  will be discussed having already at their disposal the several studies and tests undertaken in June by ACRE Coking & Refractory Engineering Consulting Corporation in China. LIRR will work daily on kiln assessments, design, construction, installation and testing to ensure that efficient dust collectors that meet international standards are installed on kiln 13 and kiln 14 by 3rd Quarter 2009.

To aid in alleviating dust emissions released from kiln 10, Bosai plans to utilize a dust suppression system proposed by GE Infrastructure Water and Process Technologies, a division of General Electric Specialty Materials that has a broad array of technical expertise and sophisticated research facilities dedicated to dust control technology with a leading position in the specialty chemical industry. This dust suppression system is expected to provide short term and long term dust control, reduce dust losses and improve air quality. It has been tested and approved by Alcoa and is currently been used by Alcoa in their Western Australia operations. It has also been used by Aroaima Mining Company. The material for the dust suppression system has already been placed on order and is expected to be in Guyana in a few weeks.  Upon receipt of the material the trial will subsequently commence. Once this system is deemed feasible Bosai plans to utilize the dust suppression system on a long term basis.

Bosai management says that it recognizes the tremendous effects these emissions have had and continue to have on the wider population on a daily basis in and around Linden and the show of patience and understanding that the residents have been displaying over the period as the company works assiduously to have the systems installed.

“As all may be aware that whilst the technology may be available, it takes time to do all the relevant studies, tests, designs, construction and installation since these are not shelf items”.
The company continues to make itself available to discuss with the community and its leaders any suggestions which may work in the interim, he said.