The Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Ministry of Labour has launched an investigation into a mining accident that claimed the life of a gold miner at Cowing Backdam in the Upper Mazaruni area.

60-year-old miner and dredge owner, Bertram Willie, of Linden was reportedly operating his dredge on Wednesday 6th March when a portion of land suddenly caved into the river.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Labour, the man was knocked into the water.

An alarm was raised by persons close by, and other miners rushed to assist in locating the man. However, his motionless body was found pinned by a tree stump under the water.

The body was pulled from the river and taken to the Imbaimadai Health Post, where the 60-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death as asphyxiation due to drowning.

The Ministry of Labour investigation into the fatal mining accident is being conducted by Mr. Naipaul Persaud, Occupational Safety and Health Officer of the Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with Mr. Sekou Walters, Senior Mining Engineer of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). 

The Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, has once again voiced his worry over the increasing occurrence of workplace injuries and accidents.

The Occupational Safety and Health Department of the Labour Ministry is once again reminding workplaces of the importance of following health and safety regulations to reduce the risk of accidents.

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