Guyana's Mineral Map: Bauxite, Gold, Diamonds, and the Greenstone Belt

[Note: The original source included an image placeholder: "Image of a map of Guyana with its mineral resources labeled." This description replaces that visual.]

Guyana's mineral wealth is concentrated in the **Guiana Shield**, a 1.7-billion-year-old Precambrian craton underlying the northern Amazon. The key resources and their primary zones:

Major Minerals & Locations

• Bauxite (Aluminum Ore): **#1 Export Mineral.** Deposits: **Linden (Demerara River)** — historic, large-scale (Bosai/Bauxite Company of Guyana); **Kwakwani (Berbice River)** — high-grade gibbsite; **Onverdagt**. Guyana = top 10 global producer.
• Gold: **#1 Export by Value.** **Greenstone Belts** (Barama-Mazaruni, Cuyuni-Mazaruni). **Omai** (former large open-pit, now reclamation/artisanal), **Aurora (Guyana Goldfields/Zijin)**, **Troy (Sandstone)**, **Karumau**. **Artisanal/small-scale mining (ASM)** = ~70% of output (600,000+ oz/yr). Mercury contamination a major issue.
• Diamonds: **Alluvial** in **Mazaruni, Potaro, Rupununi** river systems. **Gem/near-gem quality** (high value/ct). **Peter's Mine, Aremu, Mara Mara**. ASM dominant. Kimberley Process certified.
• Manganese: **Matthews Ridge (Northwest)** — historic (1960s–70s, Union Carbide). High-grade (48–52% Mn). **Re-evaluation ongoing** (Battery-grade potential).
• Nickel/Cobalt/Platinum Group (Laterite): **Kamara / Kurupung** (ultramafic complexes). **Lateritic nickel** (low-grade, large tonnage). **Exploration stage** (Canada Nickel, others).
• Rare Earths / Critical Minerals: **Aranka, Aruwai** (carbonatites). **Early exploration.**
• Sand/Stone/Construction Aggregates: **Essequibo, Demerara, Berbice rivers** — massive dredging.

Geological Context

The **Greenstone Belts** (volcanic-sedimentary sequences) host gold/diamonds. The **Roraima Group** (sedimentary) caps the shield. The **Takutu Graben** (rift basin) in the Rupununi has petroleum potential (offshore discoveries by Exxon/Hess/CNOOC now transforming the economy).

Map Visualization Guide

A proper map shows: **Coastal plain** (bauxite Linden/Kwakwani) → **Inland greenstone belts** (gold/diamonds Mazaruni/Potaro) → **Northwest** (Mn Matthews Ridge) → **Southwest ultramafics** (Ni/Co) → **Rupununi savanna** (diamonds, oil).