Guyanese Miners Association calls for answers on murder of eight miners

In the wake of the recent slaughter of eight miners at Lindo Creek in the Berbice River area two Saturdays ago, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has issued a call for a thorough investigation into the mass murder.

Executive Director of GGDMA Tony Shields says the shooting had made other miners fearful and it has significantly hurt the industry.

Shields told a local media house that since the authorities have failed to say anything on the incident, miners have chosen to abandon camps until they get answers.

"Mining on most mining areas has been put on hold, since nothing has been said by officials about what really transpired," Shields told the Kaieteur News newspaper.

He noted that even foreign companies have begun reviewing their operations in the interior, in fear for their workers’ safety, and even their own.

"Miners have families, too, and on hearing what happened to those eight miners, anybody would be fearful for their loved ones as well," Shields stressed.

Meanwhile, Shields said that security measures for miners had been a longstanding issue for both his organization and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

He said that following the Bartica massacre, several meetings were held to address the issue. Present at those meetings, he said, were the Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, and several other top brass from the security forces. Persons from the mining sector were also present at those meetings.

At those meetings, several proposals were put forward to the relevant authorities for consideration, after which a final document was expected to have been prepared.

However, to date, according to Shields, nothing has been forthcoming on the issue. Some of the proposals, he said, included having persons entering mining areas register at check point and receive identification cards.

The issue of check points, Shields added, needs to be reinforced, since the relevant authorities have become complacent as it relates to proper checkpoint systems.

"Years ago miners were required, when going into mining areas, to first check with the nearest police station. When persons were seen in mining areas and cannot give sufficient reasons for being in the area, they were instructed to leave." the director recalled

Shields said that, while there are many plans for security in the mining sector, there still remains the issue of limited resources.

The charred remains of eight miners were discovered on Saturday, June 21, by camp owner Leonard Arokium, who went to investigate after receiving phone calls that there was a shooting at the camp.

Those murdered are Arokium’s son, Dax, 28, his uncle, Cedric Arokium, called Brother, 51; Bonny Harry, 50, of ; Compton Spires, 58, Clifton Wong, 46, Horace Drakes, 36, Lancelot Lee, called ‘Piggy’; and a youth who is reportedly from Kwakwani.

(Caribbean Net News)