Suriname Revisited: Economic Potential of its Mineral Resources

This book summarizes the exploration history and provides a framework for assessing the economic potential of the country’s minerals by defining minimal deposit parameters for the various commodities present. This book summarizes the exploration history and provides a framework for assessing the economic potential of the country’s minerals by defining minimal deposit parameters for the various commodities present. Suriname was explored extensively for mineral occurrences in the course of the previous century, indicating the presence of a range of commodities. The country mined and processed bauxite for a century (until 2016), and has an even longer history of small-scale alluvial gold mining; it is currently home to two major gold producers. However, exploration activities have been limited during the past 4 decades as most parts of Suriname’s interior are difficult to access, making geological fieldwork both difficult and expensive. Further, the markets and prices have changed in the interim, which calls for a fresh look at the historic data. This book summarizes the exploration history and provides a framework for assessing the economic potential of the country’s minerals by defining minimal deposit parameters for the various commodities present. Suriname was explored extensively for mineral occurrences in the course of the previous century, indicating the presence of a range of commodities. The country mined and processed bauxite for a century (until 2016), and has an even longer history of small-scale alluvial gold mining; it is currently home to two major gold producers. However, exploration activities have been limited during the past 4 decades as most parts of Suriname’s interior are difficult to access, making geological fieldwork both difficult and expensive. Further, the markets and prices have changed in the interim, which calls for a fresh look at the historic data.