Mining pit caves in, kills 1 at Blackwater Backdam

– Labour Ministry launches probe into fatal incident

A 21-year-old miner only identified as “Vibes” of Four Miles Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), was on Monday killed after the mining pit in which he was working caved in at Blackwater Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Based on reports received, the victim was in the company of four other workers who were jetting in the mining pit when the dam from the tail end broke, causing the slush to run down.
An alarm was raised and the victim was seen “pinching” the hose. He started to run in an attempt to escape. However, the slush caught and covered him. He was pulled from under the slush in a motionless state.
“Vibes” was placed on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and taken to the Bartica Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body is at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.
Meanwhile, the Labour Ministry has launched an investigation into the fatal accident in order to determine the circumstances leading to the man’s death.
In a statement, the Ministry said they are aware of the incident where the miner was fatally injured and as such, the Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department has since commenced its investigation. The investigation is being done in collaboration with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
Seven persons have died due to similar incidents thus far in 2021.
Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton continues to express concern about the fatalities and has stressed the need for continuous OSH awareness programmes in these communities.
The Minister further extended his condolences to the grieving family and friends of the deceased.