Recent mine cave-in…GWMO reminds Trotman, Govt of its Safety in Mining recommendations

Jun 02, 2016 News

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In the wake of another mining pit collapse, the Guyana Women Miners Organisation

(GWMO) said Tuesday, that it wishes to “remind” the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Government of their safety in mining recommendations that were submitted to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, on November last.

The Organisation, in its recommendation, had identified areas for improvement within the domain of safety in mining after reviewing the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Mining Pit Collapse Report, which was conducted after the demise of 11 miners in Mowasi, Potaro some time ago.
After thoroughly reviewing the document, the GWMO said that it “noted well” the concerns of the CoI’s Commissioners.
“One that dominated the report and was critical to the collapse was the lack of mining engineering knowledge by the excavator operators. This results in the creation of weak mining pit walls. This risk is doubled in the rainy seasons.
“The GWMO had recommended that agencies that provide excavator operation training, such as MACORP, Linden Technical Institute, Brian Tiwarie Inc. should be mandated to integrate mining safety and mining engineering into their curriculum.”
Additionally, taking into consideration the excavator operators who are already in the field, the GWMO believes that the training of trainers approach would be best suited to reach that section of the mining population.

“This will entail the training of a group of resource officers, who will in turn be mandated to execute a strategic plan to train excavator operators in the field, which should extend also to include operation workers and miners.
This strategic plan must be executed upon completion of the initial training. Too many times persons are trained and not utilised because there was no plan to do so, as such, the effort falls by the wayside. The inclusion of the miners and operation workers is critical to move towards having awareness and the change of attitude. No one can have greater value for life more than the men and women, whose lives are directly at risk.”
Added to the mining safety, engineering and geotechnical training, first aid and other lifesaving medical techniques should be incorporated, the organisation asserted.
“The first responders to any mining traders will be other miners, they must be knowledgeable on what actions must be taken to potentially save the lives of their colleagues. Utilising the handouts on safety issues in mining, available at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and the production of this information on DVD explaining the material in the modules, as well as, demonstrating first aid and best practice to uncover miners who are covered under land and emergency response steps for miners to follow; would be an asset for continued education among miners.”
The GWMO notes the efforts of the Guyana Mining School, in realising some of the recommendations that the organisation had submitted to Trotman, in a meeting on November 5, 2016 and submitted via letter on the same day.
The organisation said in its November submission, it also highlighted that in the execution of the outlined recommendations that the varying educational backgrounds of the miners and operators must be taken into consideration.
“Some miners and operators have built financially secure lives for their families and/or workers from the sweat of their brows, knowledge of the sector and taking the risk of investment, but cannot sit to write an examination. We will not support exclusion from the industry based on a person’s literacy level. As such, diverse teaching methods should be applied and oral examinations be made an option.”
The organisation revealed that 2015 was the deadliest year for miners; it saw miners dying in pit collapse, accidents and robberies in the interior. In one specific incident, miners were submerged under soil for six hours.
Raphael Trotman said that one life lost is one too many, we agree with this statement. “To this we recommend the creation of a Post-Accident Protocol that is public knowledge. In 2013 when the GWMO met with then Minister of Health, Mr. Bheri Ramsaran, we were informed of the existence of emergency radio frequencies for miners to call for help.
“The response to the call was outlined as free medical evacuation via aircraft. From all information collected from our inquiry into the status of the service, this service through Ministry of Public Health is no longer operational.”
The GWMO recommends that this service be redesigned and revamped, that the frequencies be listed in the directory, along with 24-hour telephone emergency number.
“It would be beneficial to all involved parties to work together in order to get it operational. A response team, built by the Ministry of Public Health, in close partnership with GGMC to centralize the reports of these mining incidents; GGMC is currently overwhelmed and asking the agency to carry the full burden of this program would not bear much fruit.
“Thus, it would be more productive if a liaison is formed with the Ministry of Public Health so as to increase the efficiency of the programme. When a person is in need of medical attention in a city, town or village; they can call an ambulance, but what about the miners? Who do we call? Aren’t our lives just as valuable?”
The GWMO extended sympathy to the family of Ramal Williams, “A young life lost far too soon”.
Eighteen-year-old Williams, of 58 Miles, Mabura Road, was working in a mining pit at Konawaruk Backdam, Potaro when it allegedly collapsed on Sunday. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mahdia Hospital. A CoI was also ordered.

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