Mining Accident: Officials from GGMC en route to scene

By Jomo Paul

Vieria, in an interview with iNews on Monday, explained that two teams from the Commission are en route to the scene – one of the teams is travelling via land and another via water.

The Commissioner noted that the land where the incident took place is currently the subject of a dispute in the courts and an injunction has been granted preventing the GGMC from accessing the land.

Nevertheless, the Commission is going ahead with the mission given the gravity of the situation at Mowasi Backdam.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Guyana gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) said a team has been dispatched to the Mowasi, Konawaruk areas to investigate the fatal accident which occurred on Sunday, May 17.

“The Association is deeply saddened by this tragic accident and will take all the necessary steps to fully investigate the cause of the tragedy. The team left this morning at 9:30hrs and was comprised of President of the GGDMA Patrick Harding, Ms. Simona Broomes of the Guyana Women Miner’s Association, Mr. Ramdass of the GGMC, Mr. Giddings , GGDMA Engineer and Natural Resources Minister Designate, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine.”

The team will inspect the area and monitor the rescue effort that is currently underway. A detailed statement is expected to be released this afternoon when the team returns.

The Guyana Police Force has said attempts are being made to rescue 10 miners who are currently trapped after a mining pit caved in on Sunday at 14:20hrs.

According to a statement from the police, while seven of the miners were rescued and treated at the Mahdia Hospital, “the other ten are still trapped as efforts to rescue them are continuing.”

Reports directly from Mahdia indicate that the ten miners who are trapped at Mowasi Backdam, Potaro are believed to have already perished.