Bakhuis Mountains
| Bakhuis Mountains | |
|---|---|
  Bakhuis Mountains Location in Suriname | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 956 m (3,136 ft) |
| Coordinates | 4°21′N 56°45′W / 4.350°N 56.750°W |
| Geography | |
| Country | Suriname |
| District | Sipaliwini District |
The Bakhuis Mountains (
The Bakhuis Mountains have rich deposits of bauxite, as well as nickel and copper. In 1974, a new mineral named surinamite ((Mg, Fe2+)3Al4BeSi3O16) was found in the mountain range. The Bakhuis mountain range is an area of 2800 km² and contains a large concession area for mining bauxite, in which both the Surinamese company Suralco and foreign exploitation companies are interested. Ecologists fear destruction of jungle area when the mining commences.[1]
In the second half of the 20th century there was already a plan to economically exploit the area: the West Suriname Plan, centered on the mining of bauxite in the Bakhuis Mountains.[2] After Suriname became independent of the Netherlands in the 1980s, however, the implementation of this plan was discontinued. A specially built railway line was built in 1972, connecting the Bakhuis Mountains with Apoera, however the railway line was never put into use and was abandoned in 2002.[3]
References
- ^ "WEST SURINAME: WAT BETEKENT EEN GEΪNTEGREERDE ALUMINIUM INDUSTRIE VOOR DE INHEEMSE GEMEENSCHAPPEN?" (PDF). Vereniging van Inheemse Dorpshoofden in Suriname (in Dutch).
- ^ "The Kabelebo Dam Project in Suriname". abyayala.nativeweb.org. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- ^ "West Suriname Railway, Apoera". International Steam. Retrieved 6 May 2021.