A miner died on Tuesday morning after the mining pit where he was working caved in.
The dead man has been identified only as Alex also known as `Dougla’, a resident of Moruca, North West District (NWD).
Commander of Region 7, Linden Lord yesterday confirmed the incident which occurred around 8.30am at “Aritak Backdam”, Essequibo River. He said an investigation is underway.
Stabroek News understands that Alex was employed on a six-inch land dredge which is owned by a 38-year-old miner of Ogle, East Coast Demerara.
Reports are that at the time of the incident, Alex and five other men were working in the mining pit when it collapsed.
As a result, Alex was pinned down. The five others managed to run to safety.
Alex’s body was later retrieved from the rubble. He was taken to the Bartica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His body was examined and abrasions were seen to the back of his head.
The body is presently at the hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Since it entered office, the Granger administration has tried to ensure that safe mining measures are in place but fatalities from cave-ins continue to occur. With the gold price hitting a high on the international market, more risks are usually taken by miners and illegal operations mushroom.
