Twenty-five-year-old Ryan Roberts, a miner from Kwaimatta Village, North Rupununi, was reportedly killed in a mining accident at Chi Chi Backdam, Upper Mazaruni River, Region Seven. Based on reports received, Roberts was working in the mining pit along with other workers when a water hose reportedly burst, and while attempting to secure the working area, a portion of the land collapsed.
However, the other workers reportedly managed to escape from the pit, but Roberts was trapped under the soil. He was subsequently pulled from under the debris unresponsive.
He was taken to the Chinowing Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead. Arrangements are being made to transport the now deceased man to Georgetown. An investigation has been launched into the fatal accident.
Only last month, Labour and Manpower Planning Minister Keoma Griffith had reported that some 13 lives were lost due to workplace incidents between January and April 2026, with another 60 persons sustaining injuries – a phenomenon that is quite troubling.
“While we’ve made significant strides, the statistics for the period of January to April 2026 are deeply troubling. For this period, there have been 13 workplace fatalities and 64 non-fatal incidents. This increase is unacceptable and underscores the urgent need for stricter compliance and health and safety protocols. We must therefore confront this conundrum head-on, and it demands from us a decisive paradigm shift, one that moves us beyond reactive compliance to a culture of proactive prevention, accountability, and zero tolerance for unsafe practices,” the Minister had stated.
He noted that the Government will continue to strengthen enforcement and compliance in health and safety.
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