REAR Admiral (Ret’d), Gary Best was sworn in on Tuesday by the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan to lead a Commission of Inquiry into the death of gold miner, Keon Wilson.

As mandated by President David Granger, the Commission will investigate, examine, probe and report on the circumstances, which led to the collapse of a mining pit, resulting in the death of Wilson on October 8, in Rock Creek, Puruni, Region 7.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Joslyn McKenzie and Commissioner (ag) of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison were among officials who witnessed the swearing in. Minutes after he was sworn-in at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Best expressed the hope that the Commission’s recommendations will have a positive impact on the way mining is done in Guyana.

“What I do hope is that this inquiry, this Commission of Inquiry will probably bring to bear all that is required to prevent the reoccurrence of these deaths within the mining industry,” Best told reporters.

Amid increasing criticisms over the constant launching of inquiries and COIs, the former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said he believes this COI is a step in the right direction. He explained that the Commission will not only investigate the circumstances which led to the death of Wilson, but will also take into account the reports and recommendations from past inquiries, in order to formulate a menu of wide ranging recommendations.

“My mandate is not to investigate previous incidence, but to use the information to draw a better opinion for this one,” he posited. Additionally, the Mining Act and Mining Regulations will form part of the Commission’s investigative tools. Asked what makes him the right “man” for the job, Best, in response, told reporters that he is “fair and impartial.”

“I am an attorney. I know to weigh information, weigh evidence…I have fundamentally…informing judgment, (and) I think the fact that I am an attorney, that helps,” Best added, while noting too that his ability to think critically and strategically is a required quality.
However, he posited, that the Commission will have access to experts in the field of mining. Best’s preliminary report will be due in two weeks. According to initial reports, a pit caved in while Wilson, a resident of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, was working as a jetman employed on a land dredge owned by Eventon Daly, also of Ann’s Grove, ECD.

Daly had been issued a cease-work order by GGMC for unsafe mining practices, but he did not heed the order. His dredge was unregistered and deemed unsafe for working in accordance with regulation 214 of the mining regulations. Guyana Chronicle understands that George Alphonso is the owner of the property, and Daly had obtained a mining privilege from the GGMC on June 21, 2016 for a period of 12 months.

Since 2006, more than 120 mine-related deaths have been recorded in Guyana, and according to reports, the constant neglect of Occupation, Health and Safety (OHS) practices is among the leading causes. Earlier in the year, GGMC Commissioner Acting while speaking at a mining forum called for a change in attitude.

“My view is that attitudes have to be changed, where common sense, common decency and common goals for better at the broader social level must be obtained,” he said as he addressed leading men and women in the industry during the Mining Week Opening Ceremony in August. “It requires a serious commitment to partnerships and collaborations, first with each other as Guyanese citizens and then with institutions like the GGMC, who are present to serve, support and guide and where necessary apply the appropriate measures of the law,” he added.

In his message directed to miners, Dennison said GGMC will continue to push for a stronger culture of safety in mining through awareness sessions and enforcement of the law. Nothing in mining, he said, should translate to risking life or callous practices, he said while warning that actions will be taken against defaulters.