Matthews Ridge, Guyana


Matthews Ridge is a small town within the Barima-Waini administrative region of Guyana, claimed by Venezuela as part of Delta Amacuro state, who is localizated in the Guayana Esequiba.
It is located at.

History

During the 1960s, Matthews Ridge was being considered as a potential area in which to relocate the capital city of Guyana. During that same era, it was the location of a large manganese mining operation. After being closed for many years, it has recently been reopened by Reunion Manganese Incorporated.

Geography

Matthews Ridge lies in the North-West district of Guyana. It is located in Region 1 of Guyana, also known as the Barima-Waini region.

Climate

The area experiences an annual shift between rainy and dry seasons. Average temperature ranges between 80-100'F.

Demographics & Employment

The population of Matthews Ridge is under 1,000 persons, and is composed mainly of black and Amerindian persons. Carib is the language spoken by the local Amerindian people. With the closing of the manganese mining operation in the 1970s, the town went into an economic downturn, which it struggled to recover from for many years. The mine was reopened by Reunioun Manganese Incorporated, but this operation was taken over by Guyana Manganese Incorperated in 2019. Otherwise, small-scale gold mining is the basis for most other jobs in the area. This involves travel to backdams by foot or on ATVs, where batels or dredges are used to mine.

Education

The local nursery and primary schools can accommodate students through Grade 11. The school had pupils sit CSEC for the first time in 2018, but it not yet recognised as a Secondary School meaning pupils sit exams in the nearby town of Port Kaituma.

Infrastructure

The infrastructure of the town is elementary. Cell-phone service is available, through the Digicel mobile network. Electric current is available during certain hours of the day, provided by the town's generator. Goods are brought into Matthews Ridge from Georgetown, and Port Kaituma.