TWO miners met an untimely death on Monday night after a mining pit which they were “raiding” at Mowasi Backdam, Potaro, in Region Eight, caved in on them.

Dead is Deon Sproston called “Jersey Joe”, 36, of Mabaruma, North West District and of Lot 133 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and a man, whose name was only given as “Shawn” of Aishalton, Rupununi.
The incident occurred at Mowasi Backdam, Konawaruk, Potaro.

According to the police, the pit is situated on a parcel of land about five miles or one hour walking distance from Mowasi Landing.

The concession’s owner died several years ago and miners would raid the land for raw gold using metal detector, mattock, battel, spades and small engines.

The police said that the two men, along with others, were working at the 20-feet pit when it began to rain heavily. Suddenly, a large portion of the pit’s wall broke and fell on the two men, covering them with large stones, gravel and mud.

Several persons went to their assistance, but it was about two hours after that they managed to remove the lifeless bodies of the men. The bodies were escorted then to the Mahdia District Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor.

The Ministry of Natural Resources stated in a release, that it continues to look into issues of illegal mining and land raiding and deters such acts.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman has since called for an immediate investigation into the matter.