Committee begins probe into mining accidents

Jul 13, 2015 News

The Ministry of the Presidency (MOP) has begun to invite stakeholders in the mining industry as well as other concerned citizens to make contributions to an Inquiry into deadly mining accidents.
Recently, there have been several mining-related accidents ending in fatalities and other injuries. A significant number of these accidents occurred in cases where the walls of pits have collapsed.
Announcement about a coming inquiry was first made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon late last month.
Yesterday, an advertisement appeared in the daily newspapers which sought to inform that moves are already afoot to ensure that mining incidents are limited.
The advertisement noted that a multi-stakeholder committee was a set up to lead the inquiry and as part of its mandate; the committee is expected to meet and have consultation with the public.
The Committee—Mining Accidents Review Committee—will identify any instances of mining pit collapse within the last twelve months; review inspection reports and complaints made by stakeholders or any other documents in relation to the airing properties where mining pits collapsed as well as review the receipt of the complaints and the issuing and enforcement of orders, fines and penalties as provided by the Mining Act and Regulations.
The committee is mandated to review permits and licences with a view of determining compliance of all parties; identify the presence or absence of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the respective departments and conduct investigations to determine any breaches of SOP.
Also, the committee will conduct investigations of allegations against the various departments of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and any other named individual involved in any of the said matters and make recommendations accordingly.
The committee is also expected to review and determine compliance with and make recommendations on legislation, policies and processes within GGMC and other sectors.
In the advertisement that appeared yesterday Dr. Grantley Walrond, identified as the Chairman of the Committee, on behalf of the Ministry of Presidency, invited the public to submit oral evidence or by written correspondence (letter or memorandum) as well as any other information that may be considered important to the work of the Committee he chairs.
Evidence or other information may be submitted in person to the Committee during the hours 14:00hrs to 17:00hrs on Tuesday and Wednesday in Georgetown at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (GGMC Compound)
Written correspondence may be delivered and placed in a box provided at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment as well.
The Committee will visit Mahdia, Tiger Creek and Pepper Creek.
The year of 2015 started out as a horrendous one for Guyana’s mining fraternity, with statistics showing that accidental deaths of gold miners already exceed the figures for the entire 2014.
Statistics released by the Ministry of Labour early in the year show that the mining sector recorded 10 deaths for the year 2014, including two separate incidents of drowning at the same creek.
But more than 12 miners have already perished for the first five months of this year.
On April 18, Ivor Haynes died after a boat being piloted by an unlicensed captain capsized in the Cuyuni River. While the captain and another passenger were able to clutch to rocks and save themselves, Haynes clutched at a metal detector he had reportedly bought for more than one million dollars. He sank with the device.
On May 17, a pit reportedly some 40 feet deep collapsed, trapping and killing 10 miners in Mowasi, Potaro. In a herculean effort spanning an entire week, rescue workers braved rain and rough terrain to recover the bodies. It is the worst disaster in recent memory.
On May 29, Thomas Anton, a diver of Kamarang died after some loose earth collapsed on him while he was operating mining equipment under water in Quimenang.
Orlando Archer, 25, died in another mining pit cave-in, this time at Jumbie Creek, Potaro.
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has set out several safety guidelines that mining operators are expected to adhere to. Whether they are enforced by the majority of operators is another matter entirely.

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Committee begins probe into mining accidents

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