Deadly Konawaruk mining pit cave-in blamed on negligence, recklessness

Jun 10, 2016 News

An inquiry into the deadly May 29th mining pit cave-in at Konawaruk, Region Eight, has found that the operator was negligent. The findings were contained in the final report handed over yesterday to Minister of Natural

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman receiving the CoI report from Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh yesterday.

Resources, Raphael Trotman.

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report was prepared by Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh.
Killed in the tragic accident at the Konawaruk backdam, Mahdia, Potaro, was 18-year-old miner, Reynold Williams.
“The report was handed over to Minister Trotman after a discussion of the main findings and concerns that emerged from the CoI, which found that negligence was the principle cause of the collapse leading to the young miner’s death,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
According to the Ministry, the report’s findings highlight a worrying trend of negligence and recklessness that is being replicated among other medium and small scale mining operations and the grave risks these present to the lives of miners working on properties where safe mining practices are not being adhered to.
“Some of these include lack of contingency plans for safety and rescue, poorly trained personnel and lack of basic supplies to respond to injuries. It noted that these unsafe practices, which have a ripple effect on families,

The collapsed mining pit in Konawaruk backdam, Mahdia.

communities, the sector and the country as a whole can no longer be condoned at any level, and recommends that measures be put in place immediately to curb these actions.”
Trotman, expressed his gratitude for the efforts of Major General Singh and his team (which included members from the environmental unit of the GGMC) in completing the CoI, but noted that he receives the report with a heavy heart since its findings glaringly expose the magnitude and depth of work to be done to bring the mining sector back into good repute, starting with the awareness among current miners about the basics of mining.
“He noted that stricter enforcement of existing laws, the use of drone technology along with training and stricter conditions for the issuance of permits need to be incorporated.”
Considering the findings of committees of inquiries conducted over the past year, the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources, has adopted a zero tolerance approach to unsafe mining practices and will shortly be putting measures in place to hold property owners accountable for actions perpetrated on their properties.
Unsafe acts that lead to injury and/or the loss of lives will not be condoned at any level within the mining sector. Consultations with stakeholders will commence soon.
Minister Trotman has spoken to the mother of the dead teen and expressed condolences on behalf of the Government of Guyana whilst assuring her that the death of her son will not be forgotten. Since taking office last year, the coalition government had warned of little tolerance for negligence in mining. Several inquiries have been ordered, with recommendations for more training and monitoring.

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