Plizio Visual Lab
Matthews Ridge
ℹ️Practical info — Matthews Ridge
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Wear sturdy footwear for the unpaved roads in the area.
- Bring plenty of cash as credit cards are almost never accepted.
- Plan your travel during the dry season to avoid impassable paths.
- Inquire locally about transport options heading towards the mines.
🍽 Food
Try this hearty rice dish with beans and meat in the local eateries.
A popular breakfast often offered in small local bakeries.
Taste the region's popular rum after a long day of exploring.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Here you can find basic supplies and small tools used by miners.
Sometimes residents offer small souvenirs made of wood or stone scraps.
A quiet spot, convenient for a walk away from the hustle of the mining settlement.
Climb the gentle elevations for a beautiful view of the surroundings.
Water temperature…
Matthews Ridge is a mining community in the Barima-Waini region of northwestern Guyana, primarily known for its extensive manganese deposits. The settlement rose to prominence in the mid-20th century when international firms began large-scale extraction of manganese ore. During the 1960s, the area experienced an economic boom and was connected to the port of Port Kaituma by a dedicated railway line used for transporting ore. After a prolonged period of dormancy, mining operations were revitalized in recent years through significant investment by Chinese mining interests, leading to infrastructure upgrades and new employment opportunities. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dense rainforest and hilly terrain, which presents logistical challenges for ground transportation. Matthews Ridge features its own airstrip, which is vital for providing supplies to the community and facilitating the movement of mining personnel. The town's social and economic stability remains deeply intertwined with global commodity cycles and active mining operations.
- Location: Guyana
- Nearby: Port Kaituma (34 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
| Rain mm | 144 | 97 | 71 | 110 | 253 | 259 | 243 | 170 | 94 | 98 | 155 | 204 |
Geography
Facts
- Matthews Ridge was developed as a planned mining town in the 1950s.
- The area contains some of the highest-grade manganese ore in the world.
- A 30-mile railway once linked the ridge to the Barima River at Port Kaituma.
- Recent investments have totaled over 100 million USD to restart operations.
- The town serves as a hub for satellite indigenous communities in Region 1.
- Ore from Matthews Ridge is exported primarily to the Asian market.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Matthews Ridge (1)
Frequently asked questions
What is Matthews Ridge known for?
How to reach the town?
Are there any sights?
Is there electricity there?
Can you visit the mine?
Matthews Ridge: where is it located?
Matthews Ridge: when is the best time to visit?
Matthews Ridge: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
Nature
More places
