GEORGETOWN - Guy Gois, 56, "was taking soil samples from an excavated pit during heavy rainfall and it is reported that the pit caved in and trapped him underneath," said Guyana police spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker.

The accident occured Friday at Konawaruk, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) southwest of Georgetown, Whittaker said.

Gois was rushed to a state-run hospital at Mahdia where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Guyana's forested, mountainous and riverine Amazon region is rich in gold, diamonds and uranium, attracting several North American and European companies in recent years.

AFP/Expatica