Personal, regulatory and operational level to be blamed for Puruni mining death- CoI

The final Report of the Commission of Inquiry (COI), established to probe the circumstances surrounding the mining pit collapse and death of Keon Wilson, at Rock Creek, Puruni, Region Seven on October 8, 2016, was today handed over to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

Rear Admiral (ret’d) Gary Best who conducted the inquiry noted that three levels of culpability have been identified. “I found that they are three levels of culpability; at the personal level, the operational level and the regulator level.  The report asked for me to determine, blameworthiness so I had to look into that carefully,” he said.

Minister Harmon stated that the report, which was handed over today, will serve as a guideline and help to identify further steps the Government should take in to ensure that no further lives are lost in this fashion.

“[The] Commission of Inquiry is intended to elevate the level of this [investigation] into these matters, so that the world would understand that we put a very high premium on the life of every single Guyanese… I trust that the recommendations that have been made in this report will act as a guide to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Ministry of Natural Resources, in so far as the safety mechanisms are concerned.” Min. Harmon

“The report will be shared to the Cabinet, and the Cabinet will also have an input in the matter particularly as it relates to the executive summary and the recommendations that have been made by the Commissioner,” Minister Harmon said.

The Commission was established on October 18, 2016. A preliminary report was submitted to Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman on November 9, 2016, and the deadline for submission of the final report was extended from November 18, 2016, to today’s date.