Avalon targets 1200 jobs to redevelop OMAI, another 850 employees for operations

…engages LTI on skills development for future mine workforce

As Avalon Gold Exploration Inc works on the proposed redevelopment of the OMAI Gold Project in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), the company recently engaged the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) for discussions on future skills and workforce needs linked to large-scale mining operations.
In a statement on Friday, it was noted that the company is committed to building local content and workforce development into its planned development. Avalon is the wholly owned Guyanese subsidiary of Canada-based Omai Gold Mines Corp.
A team from Avalon, including Chief Executive Officer Elaine Ellingham, Vice President – Operations Jason Brewster and Director of Government and Community Relations Jake Thomas, recently visited Linden and toured LTI’s business, electrical, mechanical and other technical departments.
During the visit, discussions were held with LTI Principal Hector Anthony and Deputy Principal Keisha Luke-Garraway, with Marcel Watson of the Board of Industrial Training also participating. LTI has approximately 450 students and recently expanded its on-site accommodation by 150 rooms, increasing its capacity to serve students from outside Linden.
With Avalon targeting a 2030 start-up of the OMAI mines, which have been closed for some 20 years, current forecasts are for approximately 1200 jobs during construction and about 800 to 850 jobs during operations, if the project proceeds.
According to Avalon, a future OMAI operation would require a wide range of technical and support skills, including geologists, mining engineers, geotechnical specialists, heavy-equipment operators, mechanics, construction workers, caterers and labourers.
During the Linden meeting, the company indicated that construction could begin in approximately 24 months. However, it noted that any construction timeline remains subject to the project’s technical work, environmental and regulatory approvals, financing and a future construction decision.
Ellingham said the visit reinforced the importance of planning early for the skills that Guyana’s expanding mining sector will require.
“With the potential development of three to four major mines over the next five years, the demand for skills will expand. We need to identify the scope of skills that will be needed at the mines and then support the Institute to develop additional training modules or courses to provide the relevant mining-specific skills,” the OMAI CEO said. “On-site training will, of course, be an important part of the operations, and there are great opportunities once the mines are established to have regular co-op work terms for students or apprenticeships working with the Institute.”
Nevertheless, Avalon said the company is committed to exploring future opportunities with LTI and the Board of Industrial Training, potentially in coordination with other companies advancing large-scale mining projects in Guyana.
In addition to LTI, the Avalon team also met with Deputy Mayor Wainwright Bethune, Councillor Abdulla Hamid and other Linden representatives to discuss how the growth of large-scale mining could create employment and skills-development opportunities for the community.
According to the company, Linden’s proximity to OMAI, its industrial skills base and its long-standing connection to the former mine make the community particularly relevant to future workforce planning. It further noted that many Linden families have relatives who worked at OMAI during its previous production years, while technical skills developed in mining and other industrial operations can be transferable across sectors.
In fact, Deputy Mayor Bethune recalled previously working at OMAI, where he learned grade-control skills in the open pit that he later applied in Linden’s bauxite industry.
Retired Major General Norman McLean, a former Human Resources Manager at OMAI, also accompanied the team and spoke about the long-term benefits and positive life experiences that these modern large-scale mines can bring to workers and communities.
Avalon said these discussions form part of a broader local content approach intended to position Guyanese workers and businesses to participate if OMAI advances. In addition to direct employment, the company has identified transportation, construction, equipment services, engineering, accommodation, catering, maintenance and other support services as areas where local businesses would participate as the project develops.
Avalon is continuing technical, environmental and regulatory work on the proposed redevelopment of OMAI. Employment forecasts, construction timing and future training arrangements remain subject to the project advancing through the required approvals, financing and development decisions.
Based on a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) released by Avalon back in August, the redevelopment of the OMAI Gold Project could result in a GY$300 billion investment, with an estimated production of 6.3 million ounces of gold over the life of the mine.
The proposed mine would have an initial operating life of 18-20 years, creating sustained demand for Guyanese labour, skills, goods and services, both as direct and indirect opportunities.
Omai is a past-producing gold mine that was opened in 1992 and had produced approximately 3.7 million ounces of gold, making it the largest gold mine in South America at the time. The project closed in 2006 due to financial constraints and low gold prices, but the operator returned in 2020 when the price for gold was significantly high.
Over the years, the Guyana Government has been calling for the project, which has been in the developmental stage for an extended period, to move on to production.