33-Y-0 killed in mining pit; Gov’t orders immediate enforcement operation

A resident of Canvas City Wismar Linden was on Monday evening killed following a mining pit accident.

Reports are that Lennox Douglas, 33, along with two other workers were operating a four-inch drudge at Issano back dam. It is alleged that at about 18:00hrs, a portion of earth fell on the head of Douglas.

He was rushed to the Issano Health Center where he died while receiving treatment.

The other two workers were taken into Police custody and are assisting with the investigation.

As a result of the death and two others reported at MowasiBackdam, Konawaruk, Potaro in September, the Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman has also ordered an immediate enforcement operation to be conducted jointly by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Ministry’s Compliance Division’s Corp of Wardens.

The Ministry said there has been an increase in mining-related deaths.

The operation ordered will “address problems of this nature in the mining areas where there has been an increase in legal and illegal mining activities and accidents,” the Ministry statement said.

The agencies are expected to provide a report upon completion of the operation.

On September 18, two men were killed after a pit collapsed in an abandoned mining area they were working in the Konawaruk area of Region Eight.

Thirty-six-year-old Deon Sproston called “Jersey Joe” of Mabaruma in the North West District, who was last known to be living at Lot 133 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara and another man only known as “Shawn” from Aishalton Village in Region Eight were killed.

The wall was said to be about 20feet high.

According to reports, several persons normally raided the land for raw gold, using a variety of implements, including spades and small engines.

Jersey Joe and Shawn were said to be working with others when heavy rain caused a large portion of the pit wall to collapse on the two men, covering them with large stones and gravel/mud.

Several persons went to their assistance and about two hours but they only reached the men when the men were already dead.