Bosai commissions new fleet of equipment

Bosai Minerals Guyana Inc. commissioned its latest fleet of equipment valued in excess of US$8M last week at a simple ceremony at the company’s power generation plant compound at Linden.

The fleet includes thirteen highway trucks, three off highway trucks, two graders, two bulldozers, one tractor and trailer and one garbage truck. While most of the equipment would be used to enhance the company’s production the garbage truck will be donated to the Linden Town Council to boost it garbage collection programme. Speaking at the simple ceremony, Bosai’s Peter Benny said that the Chinese company was guilty in the past of not commissioning its new equipment before putting them into operation. This, he said, was met with much dissatisfaction by employees who feel such an exercise is a traditional and cultural approach which should be upheld.

In addressing the gathering Vice General Manager of Bosai Michael Zhang noted that during the past months the company has experienced significant shortfalls in its production due the shortage of equipment.

This, he said, posed a major threat to the company’s market and repetition.

Bosai’s Orin Barnwell who heads the mining activities of the company said that the absence of the machinery had put pressure on the older pieces which will now be decommissioned.

In order to meet current market demands Bosai will have to produce 285,000 tons of RASC. In addition they are expected to produce 200,000 tons of chemical grade and 110,000 cement grade bauxite for 2008. This, they say, is a very high demand but must be met since the amount has already been sold in advance of its production.

Already for the year the company has run out of ore and this has caused it to shut off its kilns for four days. Nonetheless management is confident that this will not repeat itself since plans are also in place to construct a third kiln in order to help meet set targets for this year.

Among those present at the commissioning ceremony were Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, CEO of the Linmine Secretariat, Horace James and Interim Manage-ment Committee Chairman Orin Gordon.