Grade Six Social Studies
Hello Boys and Girls! Mineral Resources Resources (cont’d)
I hope you had an excellent week at school. I am confident that you have learned new skills and concepts during the past learning week. For you to master those skills and concepts you must take time to revisit what was done during the instructional time at school. The more you practice the more proficient you will become. If you inculcate good study habits now, I can assure you that your future is going to be characterized by success after success.
Stay safe! Wash your hands and continue social distancing to keep yourself and others protected from Covid-19.
Last week we commenced the topic Resources. We discussed that Resources are living and non-living materials which are valuable and useful to a country and its people. Therefore anything useful to man is considered a resource.
We also discussed the two types of Resources: 1) Human Resources AND 2) Natural Resources. Lastly, we examined Guyana’s forest and water resources.
This week we will continue on the topic of resources. We will:
1) Explore our mineral resources: i. Gold ii. Diamond iii. Bauxite iv. Granite
2) Locate on a map of Guyana areas where minerals can be found 3) Examine our agricultural resources
The Mineral Resources of Guyana are found in the earth. They include gold, diamond, bauxite, and granite.
Let’s take a look at Gold
Gold is one of Guyana’s foreign exchange-earners. It is also used as a system of exchange and trade. In addition, it is used for making ornaments. Gold is very highly-priced because it is a rare commodity. The Essequibo is the main gold-producing county, and pork knockers work long hours to mine the metal
Where can we find gold?
Gold is obtained at places like Omai, Mahdia, Matthew’s Ridge, Issano, and Barama. Golden Star Resources Limited is a large company that is involved in gold mining in Guyana. There are also small holdings that private individuals mine.
How is gold extracted from the earth?
Gold is found in gullies, streams, and rivers and on hillsides,
Gold can be mined by different methods. The larger companies use the dredging method, which involves the use of machinery, while a few private individuals with small holdings, mine by hand, using a method known as panning involving the use of a battel.
Do you know what a battel is?
Fact/Tip
Gold is used to make jewellery and as a system of exchange and trade. It is very valuable and rare, that is, it is not found in many countries.
Let’s look at DIAMONDS! Diamonds are mined at Orinduik, Kamarang, Bartica, and Enachu. The largest and most valuable deposits, however, are found in the Pakaraima area. Diamonds are found mainly in the sands and gravels of creeks and rivers. A process known as diamond diving mines the metal. Like gold, diamonds are a foreign exchange earner. The product is used to make jewellery and in industries to cut hard substances, e.g. glass. In Guyana, one company that has undertaken diamond mining is Enachu Diamond Traders Ltd.
Let’s look at BAUXITE.
The bauxite ore is found under the earth’s surface. In Guyana, before the bauxite can be obtained, large amounts of earth known as overburden have to be removed. This earth is scooped up by walking draglines and is dumped in high mounds at the end of the mine. The bauxite ore is then blasted loose by explosives. It is transported from the mines to the processing plant using ore cars. When the bauxite reaches the plant, it is crushed, washed, and dried before being placed into large storage tanks called silos. This bauxite is now known as calcined bauxite. It is exported to European countries together with metal-grade bauxite from which aluminum is produced.
Where Bauxite is mined?
The areas where bauxite is mined include Linden, Ituni, and Kwakwani. Different companies oversee bauxite mining in Guyana. Find out the names of the companies and areas for which they are responsible. Aluminum, a light metal that is used in industries, is a by-product of the bauxite industry. Can you name some articles which are made from aluminum?
GRANITE
This stone is used in the construction industry to build houses and sea walls. Stone quarries are located at Baracara on the Canje River and Itabu/Teperu and Monkey Jump on the Essequibo