G/town resident killed after mining pit collapses at Micobie Backdam

A 64-year-old gold miner lost his life on Monday after a mining pit collapsed at Micobie Backdam in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). The dead man has been identified as Donald Gouveia, also known as “Danny”, of Subryanville, Georgetown.

Following the incident, a team of Police ranks from the division travelled to the location to launch an investigation.
Police stated that on the day in question at about 12:00h, Gouveia and three workers were working in the mining pit which is about 70ft deep. Whilst doing so, the western wall of the pit reportedly collapsed and, in the process, completely covered Gouveia while the three others were partially covered.
His co-workers Keith James, Frencivaldo Santos, and Junior Daniels were assisted out of the collapsed pit by other workers who were alerted of the incident.
However, after some time, Gouveia was pulled from under the debris in an unconscious state. An injury was observed above his left eye.
He was rushed to the Micobie Health Centre where he was treated and immediately referred to the Mahdia District Hospital. On his arrival at the medical facility, Gouveia was pronounced on arrival.
His body is presently at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting post-mortem. The three workers and others at the mining camp were questioned as Police continue their investigations.
Back in February, Christopher Bumbury of Pakera, Matthew’s Ridge, North West District (NWD), met his demise after the mining pit in which he was working collapsed. The incident took place at Highwood Backdam, Region One (Barima-Waini), NWD.
It was reported that the 58-year-old man and another worker were reportedly digging gravel at the bottom of the mining pit when it collapsed, pinning him in the process while the other worker managed to escape unhurt.
An alarm was raised, and other workers rushed to aid Bumbury, but by the time he was pulled from under the debris, he was already dead.