PPP/C to consider extending local content law to mining sector

The governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) says it will explore extending the Local Content Act, which guarantees jobs and business opportunities for Guyanese in the oil and gas sector, to the mining industry if re-elected on September 1.

The pledge, outlined in the party’s 2025 manifesto launched on Monday at the Pegasus Corporate Centre in Kingston, comes amid large-scale developments in gold and bauxite mining.

The Local Content Act, passed in 2021, requires oil companies and their contractors to source goods and services locally across 40 categories, including catering, transportation, security and accounting. It also sets minimum hiring quotas for Guyanese.

Extending the law to mining would complement other commitments by the PPP/C, including partnering with private investors to bring new large-scale gold and bauxite projects into production, creating thousands of jobs. The party also promises to make more lands available for small miners and continue upgrading hinterland roads and airstrips to improve access to mining areas.

The manifesto says operators can expect the current favourable fiscal regime to remain in place, with no increase in royalties, no VAT on heavy equipment, and no tributors’ tax.

The PPP/C further pledges to work with private investors to expand the metallurgical grade bauxite project in Linden, already employing hundreds, and to revive mining at abandoned sites along the Berbice River. It also commits to exploring alumina refining, once gas from offshore pipelines becomes available onshore.

In addition, the party plans to support rapid growth in quarry stone and sand production, with demand soaring due to Guyana’s construction boom.