According to a report from the World Bank Group, mining plays a significant role in the economy and overall income level of Guyana. For instance, mining contributed around 15.4 percent to Guyana’s GDP in 2015 and accounted for 52 percent of exports in 2016. These figures highlight the importance of mining to the Guyanese economy, and it continues to make a substantial contribution to Guyana’s GDP each year.

While Guyana is rich in natural resources, certain precious metals and minerals top the list. Some of the key precious metals and minerals in Guyana include bauxite, diamonds, gold, and semi-precious stones. In 2022, Global Data Analysis recognized Guyana as the 25th largest gold producer in the world. This recognition followed the country’s mining operations, which produced 240,318 ounces of gold, 291,660 metric tons of bauxite, and 18,432 metric carats of diamonds in 2021.

In addition to the country’s top precious metals and minerals mentioned above, other precious metals and minerals are also actively mined. These include manganese, copper, jasper, topaz, kaolinite, and agate. Given the growing concern about fossil fuel use, the country is also beginning to explore other elements such as scandium and lithium.