An investigation into the mining accident at Aranka, Cuyuni on October 3rd which claimed the lives of three miners has found that the operator was negligent and they were operating in a filled tailings pit which was unstable.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environ-ment through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commis-sion had launched an investigation into the incident which claimed the lives of Devon Barry, 22, of Lot 22 Two Friends, Ann’s Grove; Deonarine Singh known as `Chubby,’ 25, of Lot 17 Ann’s Grove and Elson Singh, a 47-year-old father of three of Lot 1, Two Friends village.
The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Chief Labour Officer of the Ministry of Labour were also part of the task force mandated to investigate the incident.
“In summary, they were operating negligently,” an official with direct knowledge of the investigation told Stabroek News. The report was scheduled to be made public last week but this was postponed and will now be done this week, Stabroek News was told.
“The land is very unstable and (it was) a lot of slush, sand and mud,” the official said. “If you go too close, you in trouble.” Stabroek News was told that the investigation found that the men were operating in a filled-in tailings pit. Because the land was not virgin land, it was unstable and the men worked the pit in a “very, very unsafe” manner and certain “common sense” measures which could have been put in place such as a look-out to monitor any movement along the walls of the pit, were not done, the official said.
It was noted that some miners because of the high price of gold would work at old mining pits because mining operations usually do not see 100% recovery of gold and there is usually some gold in the old pits that could be recovered. It is usually easier and cheaper to work these pits as opposed to a new pit on virgin land.
“It was the operator’s fault,” the official said adding that there was “gross negligence.” Asked whether any sanctions could be applied, the official said that there was nothing that could be done at this stage.
Following the incident, one of the miners who survived had told Stabroek News that they were working in the mine around 11am on October 3 when they heard a sudden “crack” in the earth. Another miner who is usually positioned at the top of the pit to alert them when the walls of the pit become loose left his post, he had said.
Over the years, many miners have lost their lives while working in the mining pits at the more popular mining districts across the country, mainly at Mahdia, Cuyuni/ Mazaruni and in the North West District.
The mining bodies have urged the owners of mining operations to utilise safe mining practices.
According to the regulations, mining pits should not exceed 40 feet in depth while they are expected to be dug at an incline for greater stability.
