– In aftermath of recent mining death

THE Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and staff of the Ministry of Natural Resources expressed their condolences to the family of Retta Samuels who died in a mining pit collapse on Friday last.

According to the Ministry, from preliminary information received, it is understood that a group, comprising Ms. Samuels, of One Mile Arakaka, North West District, Region One, was on Friday afternoon last engaged in the practice of ‘punting,’ which is the siphoning off of material from another operation, when a mining pit caved in and caused the fatal accident.
“At this time the Ministry sees it fit to once again urge miners to give full priority to their safety and the safety of others during mining activities. The Ministry also urges that more attention be paid to the mining practices utilized, ensuring that they are safe and in keeping with the regulations. May the soul of Retta Samuels rest in peace and may her family find joy in the memories she has left,” the Minister stated in a press missive.
Reports indicate that the 60-year-old woman along with others, were ‘punting’ in the Backdam in a pit owned by a 45-year-old gold miner.

During the process of washing down his four-inch land dredge, the pit reportedly caved in and trapped the woman below the mud and water.

Her lifeless body was removed and she was rushed to the Arakaka Health Centre, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is currently at the Arakaka Health Centre Mortuary and arrangements are being made for it to be transported to the Port Kaituma Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem.