The committee inquiring into mining pit accidents is inviting the submission of evidence from the public.
In an advertisement in the Sunday Stabroek, the committee said that evidence or other information may be submitted in person to the committee during the hours of 2 pm to 5 pm tomorrow and on Wednesday, July 15 in Georgetown at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Upper Brickdam, (GGMC compound). Correspondence may be placed in the box provided at the same Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.
In addition, the Committee will be in Mahdia, Region Eight during July 16th to July 18th. On July 16th, the committee will visit the accident site at Tiger Creek. The following day there will be a public meeting to receive contributions from stakeholders at the Mahdia Secondary School from 2pm to 5 pm. On July 18, the committee will visit the recent accident site at Pepper Creek.
The advertisement said that the committee will undertake a number of tasks including:
-identifying mining pit collapses in the last 12 months;
-review inspection reports and complaints made by stakeholders;
-review any orders of court in relation to any compliance or enforcement matter;
-review permits/licences with a view to determining compliance of all parties;
-conduct investigations of any allegations against the various departments of the commission and any named individual.
The Chairman of the committee is Dr Grantley Walrond.
The scene of the Region Eight mining pit collapse in which 10 miners died in May has been at the centre of a two-year court battle. Culpability for mining breaches and the death of the men is now a matter that is being addressed by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
Michael Gardener, 26; Brian Brittlebank, 46, of Wismar; Linden and Raymond August of Dartmouth, Essequibo; Leland Jones and his nephew Jason Trotman; father and son Glen aka Frank and Vic Bernard; Trevon Philips and Esmond Martin all perished after the pit rapidly caved in from the top, covering the crew and their equipment.
Aside from this tragedy, over the years there have been numerous fatal mining pit collapses.
