The United States Government has expressed interest in participating in Guyana’s bauxite industry and conducting advanced mineral surveys of the country’s mining lands, with Under Secretary of Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg confirming that the matters were discussed directly with President Irfaan Ali during a meeting this week.
Speaking at a press briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown on Wednesday, Helberg said Washington sees significant opportunity in Guyana’s bauxite sector and is exploring how additional private investment, road infrastructure, and autonomous trucking technology could increase the volume of Guyanese bauxite reaching global markets.
Helberg explained that bauxite was a natural starting point for discussions because the reserves are already known and investors are already active in the sector. He noted, however, that the U.S. also raised the prospect of surveying mining lands where reserves remain uncharted and where other mineral types are believed to exist in substantial quantities. He said advanced surveying technologies could potentially unlock new categories of resources for the country.
Guyana’s bauxite industry recorded strong growth in 2025, expanding by an estimated 53.4 percent with total production reaching 3.9 million tonnes and export revenues climbing to US$144.1 million.
Beyond mining, Helberg outlined a broader U.S. strategy centred on positioning Guyana as a hub for foreign investment and regional logistics. He raised the prospect of Guyana serving as a logistics corridor connecting northern Brazil and the northern portion of South America to the Caribbean, which he said could significantly reduce shipping times to Panama by eliminating what he described as a multi-week detour that currently routes trade from northern Brazil on a far longer path.
Helberg described his discussions with President Ali as very positive, adding that he believes the opportunities identified could be unlocked with the right level of business certainty.
The Under Secretary’s visit reflects a growing U.S. interest in deepening economic ties with Guyana as the country emerges as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, driven primarily by its oil sector but increasingly attracting attention for its broader resource base.
SOURCE: Kaieteur News, “U.S. now eyes Guyana bauxite, Under Secretary of Economic Affairs,” May 14, 2026
