Ituni is a village in the interior of
Guyana, at an altitude of 100 metres (331 feet). The area grew as a result of
bauxite
Bauxite is a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminium content. It is the world's main source of aluminium and gallium. Bauxite consists mostly of the aluminium minerals gibbsite (Al(OH)3), boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)) and diaspore (α-AlO ...
mining in the area.
Ituni is closely affiliated with Linden, its closest neighbours are Kwakwani, Aroaima, Maple Town and Laddern's Ville on the Berbice River. It is located between two of Guyana's major rivers, the Berbice and the Demerara.
It has a primary school, Howell Wilson Primary School, but students attend secondary school in
Kwakwani
Kwakwani is a mining and logging village on the Berbice River in the Upper Demerara-Berbice Region of Guyana. Its altitude is 44 metres (147 feet). Kwakwani is approximately 100 km south of Linden. In 1942, the Berbice Bauxite Company ...
or
Linden.
In 1946, a railway line opened between Ituni and
Mackenzie
Mackenzie, Mckenzie, MacKenzie, or McKenzie may refer to:
People
* Mackenzie (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name)
* Mackenzie (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name)
* Clan Mackenzie, a S ...
. Even though the line was for mining operations, irregular passenger trains continued until 1982. The railway line has been replaced by trucks, however most of the track is still in place.
In the active times of Demerara Bauxite Company (owned by
Alcan
Alcan was a Canadian mining company and aluminum manufacturer. It was founded in 1902 as the Northern Aluminum Company, renamed Aluminum Company of Canada in 1925, and Alcan Aluminum in 1966. It took the name Alcan Incorporated in 2001. During t ...
), Ituni had consistent water and electricity. Ituni depends solely on logging for its economic livelihood. It has the Ituni Small Loggers Association.
Poor conditions of the Linden/Kwakwani road led to a protest in 2013 by residents of Ituni and other Berbice river communities. The road serves as lifeline for the people of the sub-region and was in a state of disrepair for decades.
In 2019, a well was installed by Guyana Water Incorporated. Before, water was only provided for two hours a day.
References
{{Settlements in Guyana
Populated places in Upper Demerara-Berbice