A Bosai bulldozer operator is feared dead after the mining pit in which he was operating collapsed on Saturday.
The man has been identified as Neptird Hercules, a 59 year-old of Wismar, Linden. A search-rescue-extraction operation is currently ongoing.
The incident occurred at 4 am on Saturday while Hercules was operating a bulldozer in the Bosai mining pit. The surface collapsed, covering him with debris and soil. According to Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, it is suspected that Hercules may be covered by as much as 100 feet of overburden. Four excavators and a metal detector were deployed in an attempt to locate the equipment, all of which proved unsuccessful. On Saturday evening, the company suspended search operations because of safety concerns and operations resumed at about 5 yesterday morning.
Yesterday afternoon, Hercules’ family and residents protested at Bosai’s office, demanding that the Chinese bauxite miner cease all operations and focus on the search for Hercules. During a live stream video by Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira, residents stated, “No tear-up no work.” Other persons in the picket line shared the same sentiments, expressing dissatisfaction with the company’s efforts to rescue or retrieve Hercules.
Several Bosai vehicles were prevented from entering the compound including trucks and other private vehicles as the protestors blocked the entrance of the compound. Meanwhile, Labour Minister Hamilton told Stabroek News yesterday that an investigation has been launched by the Occupation Safety and Health (OSH) department in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). Hamilton stated in the interview that GGMC will be working with technologically advanced equipment in an attempt to locate Hercules and the equipment.
Hamilton said that the landscape consists of valleys and hills, and according to the investigation’s preliminary results, Hercules and the equipment might be buried under one hundred feet of overburden. Bosai’s mechanical department was interviewed about the maintenance and servicing of the equipment used by Hercules at the time of his demise.
The company’s Health and Safety Department was also interviewed about how safe or unsafe the environment was prior to the occurrence. Hamilton told media personnel that before the end of the week a preliminary report will be made available to the public. He also extended his support to the family. He concluded by saying, “I am unable to comment on the safety issues until the information is garnered.”
Hercules has been working with the bauxite mining industry for 42 years. He was expected to retire in October this year.
