Ann: Extension of Voluntary Suspension, page-30

Would seem try getting maintenance work on the mill done and holding off reinstating workers

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Australian-owned mining company, Troy Resources will be commencing operations again at the Karouni Mine, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), just under a month after one of its employees would have died as a result of slippage.

Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally told media operatives on Friday that remedial works were completed by the company after the Guyana Geology and Mines would have intervened. Presently, Troy Resources is at a place where operation will restart in the near future.

After meeting with the company on Thursday, Ally stated, “Based on the recommendations from the GGMC, they were able to address all of them and I must tell you that we’re very happy about that…We needed to find out what is happening. We are concerned with safety.”

Last month, Ryan Taylor and three others were working on the construction of a “bench” at one of the company’s mining pit when there was a slippage, which allegedly led to him falling and being covered with debris.
After the incident, Guyana Times understands that it took some time to get Taylor from under the rubble and by the time he was pulled out, it was too late.

Troy Resources later confirmed that the accident occurred at about 02:25h, during the night shift, when a geologist was standing above an excavated working face. The embankment which he was standing on collapsed and he suffered fatal injuries as a consequence. Managing Director, Ken Nilsson later announced that mining operations at Karouni, Cuyuni, have currently been temporarily suspended.

Days later, employees of the Australian-owned company were handed letters terminating their service, and no response was given about payment for days worked in that month. After that, officials of the GGMC would have met with the company’s representatives, where they were instructed to conduct remedial works at the Hick’s One pit, where the incident occurred.

In light of this, the Social Protection Minister affirmed that those workers will also be reinstated.

During the height of these outcomes last month, the People’s United and General Workers Union had held Troy Resources accountable for the recent death. Administrator of the Union, Lincoln Lewis indicated that it was a reminder of the importance of safety regulations at these pits and mining sites.

“The sad and gruesome passing of this young man is a grim reminder of the potential danger in mining and the need for strict compliance with safety rules by the employer and even more strict inspection and enforcement of safety standards by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC),” he said.

Lewis argued that the workers at Troy Resources are subjected to work under unsafe conditions and pointed out that there have been similar incidents at the same site, much to the company’s knowledge.

“We hold those at the GGMC and the Ministry of Social Protection equally accountable along with the employer for the conditions of work which Ryan Taylor and his colleagues are subjected to working under. It was not unknown to them. In 2016, there was a severe wall failure in Smarts Stage Three pit at the Karouni Mine. The Union reached out to GGMC and the Ministry time and time again, all to no avail.”

However, the Minister insisted that “accidents do happen” and no penalties were levied against Troy Resources.
https://guyanatimesgy.com/troy-resources-completes-remedial-work-set-out-by-ggmc/

Would seem that as TRY ministry of social protection did over react as TRY management suggested