The Police say they are investigating the death of a 30 year-old miner of River View, West Bank Demerara, whose body was found floating in the Mazaruni River.
The miner was identified as 30 year-old Renold Rodrigues of River View, West Bank Demerara. The death occurred between 16:00 hours on Sunday and 10:00 hours on Monday at Makarie Backdam, Mazaruni River, Region Seven.
Enquiries revealed that Mohan Singh, a 36-year-old miner, owns a six-inch mining operation at Makarie Backdam and Rodrigues was his employee. At about 16:00 hours on Sunday, Singh was on site with his six workers, including Rodrigues, who was at the sluice box working while Singh and the other workers were in the mining pit setting up the impeller.
When Singh and his workers exited the mining pit (after setting up the impeller), they could not find the victim. A search was launched, but Rodrigues could not be found.
The police report stated that at about 09:00 hours on Monday, Singh got into his speedboat and departed the camp, heading to Bartica. A short while after, Singh received a call from one of his workers informing him that Rodrigues’ body was found floating in the Mazaruni River.
As a result, Singh proceeded to the Bartica Police Station, where he reported the matter. He stated that the sluice box is about 1,000 feet away from the river bank.
Detectives from Bartica have left for the scene to conduct investigations.
