Miners’ Association urges safer practices in wake of accidents, deaths

See the full statement from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association Below:

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) extends its deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of the two miners who recently died when a section of the open pit where they were working collapsed.

The manner and frequency of such deaths warrant a closer examination of the practices of our small and medium-scale miners in general. The GGDMA is reiterating its appeal to the general mining community to adhere to and implement good safety practices.

The GGDMA recognizes that many miners cannot afford to close their operations during the rainy season since they have huge bills to pay, further compounded by an increase in operation costs. We also recognize that the rainy season has become prolonged, and this results in the instability of the soil, thus heightening the risks for workers’ safety. While we continue to recognize that the mining sector is a very high-risk industry, we urge all our miners to follow good occupational health and safety practices.

To reduce these accidents in the mining sector, the GGDMA, through its Technical Services Unit [TSU], which is housed at the lower flat of the GGDMA Secretariat, will be offering FREE technical support and advice to ALL MINERS. We implore all miners to utilize these services offered by the GGDMA to ensure the adaptation of practices and technology that will increase their productivity and the safety and health of workers.

The GGDMA remains fully committed to working with all miners and stakeholders nationwide to reduce accidents in the mining sector.