Grade Six Social Studies

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. In order for you to master those skills and concepts you must take time to revisit what was done during 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.

Topic: Resources.

Sub Topic: Mineral Resources Agricultural Resources

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.

Learning Outcomes:

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

Mineral 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 miners work long hours to mine the metal

Where can we find gold?

Gold is obtained at places like Omai, Mahdia, Matthew’s Ridge, Kuruoung, Issano and Barama. Golden Star Resources Limited is a large company which is involved in gold mining in Guyana. There are also small holdings which private individuals mine.

How do we extract gold 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 batell.

Fact/Tip

Gold is used to make jewelllery, and as a system of exchange and trade. It is very valuable and rare, that is, it is not found in many countries.

Diamonds are mined at Orinfuk, Kamarang, Bartica and Enchu. 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 which has undertaken diamond mining is the Enachu Diamond Traders Ltd.

Do you know what a batell is?

Let’s look at DIAMONDS!