Saying that 14 reported deaths have resulted from mining accidents in Mahdia, in Region Eight, since the start of the year, the Ministry of Natural Resources has defended its recent enforcement operation to ensure compliance with mining safety regulations.
“The Ministry understands that compliance and enforcement operations are not well received by persons who do not meet the standards given to operate. It is not pleasing having these done but the cooperation of everyone is sought to ensure that the exercise is concluded expeditiously and efficiently,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday, in response to protests in Mahdia in the preceding days over the operation.
In the midst of the eight-day operation, which is scheduled to concluded tomorrow, miners and other residents of Mahdia have complained about the approach taken by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), whose officers they have accused of destroyed millions of dollars’ worth of mining equipment during the process.
Miners have claimed that the officials did not issue any warning but instead proceeded to the backdams, where they allegedly confiscated and in some cases, destroyed mining equipment.
“More than a hundred miners out here affected and is not the miners alone, is shop owners, taxi drivers, barbers, everybody because mining is what sustains Mahdia,” a miner said during a protest last Wednesday.
Some also contended that the move by the GGMC was unfair and has resulted in families being forced to “join the breadline.”
The enforcement operation was ordered by Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman following several recent mining-related deaths.
In its statement on Friday, the ministry emphasised that the enforcement operation seeks to curb the practice of illegal mining, address mines safety, and improve mining practices overall.
In particular, it noted that Trotman ordered the operation since illegal and unsafe mining practices have continued to result in fatal accidents in the mining areas of Guyana. In this regard, acting Mines Manager Krishna Ramdass was reported as saying that Mahdia has had the majority of mining accidents for 2018 and there have been a reported 14 deaths from January 23rd to October 1st.
The statement said the lives of mines workers are of great value to Trotman, and it is hoped that mine operators also value them as well as the villages and communities adjoining their operations.
“Unfortunately, this is not entirely so, and enforcement of compliance becomes necessary,” it added.
In an apparent response to concerns voiced by miners, the ministry said the GGMC and the ministry’s Compliance Division’s Corps of Wardens, which have been tasked with executing the operation, are expected to follow the procedures outlined for execution. “The GGMC is further expected to work with those not in compliance, to ensure they can return to work as soon as reasonably possible; providing that there is an expressed agreement to comply with the law and/or be registered,” it added.
The ministry added that it had been informed up to Friday that miners whose equipment was seized were previously warned that their operations were not in compliance.
“The Minister recognises the effects of the operations on persons directly and indirectly, but for the sake of preserving lives and livelihoods, it is advised that the operation be allowed to ensure the preservation of the aforementioned,” the statement further said, while encouraging miners to ensure that their documents and operations are in compliance with all regulations so as to avoid issues.
Trotman ordered the operation after the death of miner Lennox Douglas, 33, a resident of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden, in a pit cave-in at Mowasi Backdam on October 1st.
The surviving miners reported to the police that they were all in the mining pit operating a four inch dredge when a section of the wall collapsed and struck Douglas to his head.
He was picked up and taken to the Issano Health Centre, where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.
In announcing the enforcement operation, the ministry also noted two other mining-related deaths at Mowasi Backdam, Konawaruk, last month.
On September 17th, miners Deon Sproston, called ‘Jersey Joe,’ 36, of Mabaruma, North West District, and of Lot 133 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, and Shawn (only name provided), a resident of Aishalton Village, Rupununi, died in a pit cave-in. At the time, the ministry said, they were engaged in illegal mining on a concession.
