By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) Shadow Minister of Public Service and Natural Resources, Sharma Solomon, is criticising the government over what he describes as a deepening crisis at the Aurora Goldfield operation, now managed by ZiJin Mining.
Solomon’s comments follow a widely circulated video showing a visibly frustrated underground worker confronting a manager over the prolonged lack of essential safety equipment—gear workers say they have been requesting for months.
According to Solomon, the confrontation should not be dismissed as an isolated episode but instead reflects a long-standing pattern of exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and poor oversight in Guyana’s multi-billion-dollar gold mining sector.
“A troubling pattern of abuse and neglect”
In a strong statement, Solomon said workers have repeatedly raised concerns about:
- Unsafe underground tunnels
- Chronic shortages of PPE
- Serious health complications
- Bullying and intimidation
- Inadequate emergency response systems
He argued that despite the severity of these complaints, government intervention has been sporadic and reactive, occurring only after cases attract public attention.
Workers feel “unheard and unprotected”
The Region Ten MP said the gold mining workforce forms the backbone of a sector that generates massive revenues, yet miners continue to operate under hazardous conditions.
“This workforce is essential to Guyana’s economy. They deserve more than reactive investigations. They deserve consistent protection, proper representation, and meaningful engagement,” Solomon stressed.
He is calling for immediate and robust oversight, stronger labor protections, and full enforcement of mining safety regulations across all operations—not only Aurora.
Government urged to act
Solomon said the government must urgently address the systemic issues at Aurora Goldfield to prevent further deterioration and ensure that the safety and rights of workers remain a priority.
ZiJin Mining and the Ministry of Labour have not yet issued updated public statements on the matter.
