Speaking during a recent stakeholder’s meeting involving different players within the mining industry, Minister Jobe said: “We have seen how the environment has been destroyed, particularly in the coastal area. The destruction that has been caused in the coast is enormous and that’s why the ministry of environment is not going to renew some of the licenses, even though the Geological Department gives mining companies licenses, and some of these licenses have expired. They will not be renewed.”
The convergence, officials said, was meant to have a discussion among stakeholders in the country’s mining sector with the objectives of sharing ideas and generating recommendations in addressing the issues affecting the mining industry.
“The destruction those mining companies cause in the coast is not in the interest of all of us,” the minister said. “The environment has been destroyed and that’s why the Ministry of Environment has taken the decision to stop all the mining activities in that area.”
He continued: “We have seen people going around in some mining areas without license. The law says you can’t mine without a license or a permit. If you do it, then you are breaking the law. We are making these things clear so that people know. We have a responsibility as a people, as a country, as a government and as a ministry to protect our environment.
“We are looking at alternative sites. The president, during a cabinet meeting, constituted a cabinet committee which is chaired by the Vice President and comprises other ministries with the desire to see things are done in the right manner so that we can have sustainable mining. The way things are done in this country has to change.”
The minister of Interior, Siaka Sonko, reminded the gathering of the need to always maintain the country’s peace and stability, while recalling that “what happened at Faraba is regrettable” and that they pray it does not repeat itself, hence the necessity for the forum.
He called on truck drivers in the country to always respect traffic rules when plying the routes. “Our objectives are to ensure that whatever you are doing, you do it the right way,” Minister Sonko said. “I want to remind you all that all lands in this country belong to the state. Therefore, we must safeguard the country’s peace so that we can have tourists in this country.
“I am really worried about the way things are going on in this country. People think because they have rights, they can do anything they want, which, of course, could affect others. If we can accommodate each other, we can have a very good country.”
Amadou Demba, a transporter, called on government’s stakeholders to always ensure there is fair play in the way and manner mining activities are done in the country.
He agreed that there is a lot of destruction happening at the coast as a result of the mining activities. However, he was quick to add that a lot of construction is also going on as result of the sand that they are extracting from the mining site.
“As stakeholders, we have to come together so that everybody will be treated equally,” he said.“But when you allow some mining activities to happen in Gunjur and you put a stop in other places, it will create a problem. In fact, currently most of the mining sites are closed. Construction can’t go on when these sites are closed.”
Omar Jammeh, on behalf of Julakey Company, said: “The Ministry should intervene and take charge of access to mining sites, road construction and the signing of MOU with communities on behalf of the mining companies while fees and associated cost can be levied to the mining companies to be paid directly to the ministry since the ministry will be working directly with communities.”
On illegal mining, he said they had faced challenges of illegal mining competitions, hence he urged the ministry of energy to impose “strict measures that will permanently stop” illegal mining activities.
He added that registration and license issuance or renewal is another challenge mining companies do face. Therefore, how this is done or enforced should be reviewed, he advised.
