Team to probe collapse of mining pits named

Last Updated on Saturday, 27 June 2015, 21:41 by GxMedia

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman (centre) meeting with members of the Committee who will be looking into mining pits’ collapse.

Former Chairman of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Grantley Waldron is heading a four-member committee to probe the spate of mining accidents that have claimed numerous lives in recent months.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Ministry of the Presidency said the other committee members, who are “knowledgeable and competent in their respective fields”, are Administrator of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), an unnamed representative of the Labour Department of the Ministry of Social Protection, and Technical Advisor Jo Bayah.

Governance Minister, Raphael Trotman met with the committee members on Friday to “lay out its mandate.”

The inquiry would last from July 1 to July 31, 2015 after which “a full report detailing the findings along with recommendations” would be submitted to Trotman.

The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment said Cabinet would deliberate on the immediate and long-term actions to be implemented for the enhancement of the health and safety of the labour force of the mining sector.

Recently 10 persons were killed at Pepper Creek, Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni) when an unstable mining pit collapsed.

Government said “The issue of safety in the mining sector is one paramount importance to the Government of Guyana.”