Miners’ Association urges safer practices following fatal pit collapse

See full statement from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) below :

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association [GGDMA] is deeply saddened over the death of miner and dredge owner Donald Gouveia aka Danny on Monday June 13, 2022 as he was working in a pit at Micobie Backdam, Region 8. The Association expresses its profound condolences to the family of the late Mr. Gouveia.

We recognize that the mining sector is a high risk, hazardous industry, and thus urge our miners to follow good occupation health and safety practices. The GGDMA over the years, always appeal to our members and the general mining community to adhere to and implement good safety practices. The role of proper and sound planning in ensuring better productivity and safety should be well recognized. Based on the results of various Commissions of Enquiry into mining incidents, we believe that many of the incidents that resulted in fatalities could have been avoided with better planning.

GGDMA therefore urges the adaptation of practices and technology that not only increases the productivity but also the safety and health of workers. The GGDMA once again emphasizes that miners must pay particular attention to operating standards and safety procedures in all phases of mining.  We call upon our members and miners to take all necessary precaution to ensure safety standards are followed.

The GGDMA is committed to working with the GGMC, Ministry of Labour and the miners to reduce accidents in the mining sector. We therefore appeal to all miners to recognize the fundamental importance of implementing good safety practices.