Former army Chief-of-Staff Rear Admiral (rtd) Gary Best will be heading the Commission of Inquiring (CoI) that is to be set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of miner Keon Wilson, who was killed in a pit cave-in just over a week ago.
The announcement was made on Friday by Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman during a press conference at the Cara Lodge.
According to Trotman, President David Granger has asked Best, who is the Presidential Adviser on the Environment, to head the CoI, which will be appointed shortly.
Wilson, 33, of 61 Ann’s Grove Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, died on Saturday in a mining accident at Rock Creek, Puruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has since issued a cease-work order to dredge owner Everton Daly, who operates the mine in which Wilson died. The order was issued after the cave-in and would stay in effect until the end of the ongoing investigation.
In a statement following the accident, the Natural Resources Ministry said it would be hastening plans for the deployment of wardens who will have law enforcement powers to better police the sector. The statement also reminded miners they can access guidance, training and other support to miners to improve safety practices in the field, through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Mining School.
The ministry has expressed concerns over the persistence of unsafe practices by mining firms. “The GGMC, the ministry and the mining school continues to do the best we can but miners seem to think they go back and they resume mining without authorisation,” Trotman lamented.
