Non-adherence to safety regulations caused Aranka deaths

– Minister urges self regulation

Non-adherence to safety regulations caused the deaths of three persons and the injuries of two others in the Aranka area on October 3, 2012. This was revealed on Wednesday when the report on the investigation was handed over to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud.
The investigation was conducted by  Kampta Persaud, Deputy Commissioner (Technical) of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC); Colin Sparman of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA); Charles Ogle, Chief Labour Officer, Ministry of Labour and Rickford Vieira, Deputy Commissioner (Administration) GGMC.
The team reported that the location was visited two weeks before the accident occurred and it was pointed out that the depth of the mine was 10 feet. The explanations given by the team indicated that this was the limit of the safety regulations, since there would be cracks and crumbling of the walls of the pit occurring after that depth. The operators continued to go beyond that and the accident occurred at 20 feet.
Minister Persaud stated that the recommendations will be studied expeditiously and those that can be applied will be done.  He stated that constant monitoring is crucial in the mining industry, but acknowledged that it is difficult to supervise all operations due to the terrain.
The Minister posited that the onus and responsibility for safety are the responsibility of the owners of concessions and the miners themselves. While the regulations for the sector are not insufficient, Minister Persaud noted that occupational health and safety methods have to be applied which also place the onus on the operators and owners for self regulation.
He assured that continued emphasis will be placed on the well-being of people involved in the mining sector.
The investigative team noted that there was a need for more sensitisation on safety regulations and this has been planned through a workshop funded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). A seminar on the need for adhering to safety regulations has also been planned.
On Wednesday October 3, 22-year old Devon Barry, Elson Singh and Deonarine Persaud also known as Chubby were killed while mining for gold at Aranka, Cuyuni. Two other persons injured were 29-year old Randy April and 21-year old Percy Lancaster.