By Mabinty M. Kamara
A Civil Society Organisation, Equality Now has accused the Director-General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA) over the issuance of mining licenses to two Gold mining companies for the same concession area in Bo district Valunia chiefdom.
According to the group, they started their investigations into the issue after they got compliant from the community over the issue. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday 22nd September 2021, the Executive Director of Accountability Now-Sierra Leone, William Sao Lamin said ALGOM Gold Mining Company was awarded exploration license in 2017 and have since started operation as it already allocated 52 million dollars for its cooperate social responsibility to the community. While the FG Gold Mining company is only registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
He said the parliamentary Committee on Mines is set to investigate the said matter as soon as parliament resumes settings. Therefore, they are calling on the Director-General of the agency to step aside to ensure a transparent and fair investigation by the Parliamentary Committee.
“That the Director General of NMA should step aside and allow a new bidding process for the award of concession to any credible investor by NPPA, ACC NRA, and office of the Ombudsman and by extension the parliamentary committee on mines,” the statement reads in part.
The statement further call for the suspension of all mining operations until the process is completed and necessary agreements signed with tax compliance by the successful investor.
It further requests an explanation from the Environmental Protection Agency on the circumstances under which FG Gold Mining Company was awarded an Environmental Impact Assessment License before ALGOM Resources Mining Company. “Also seeking clarifications on the activities of the FG Gold, whether it is geared towards mines Development or exploration as the public is made to understand that their current status is more of exploration than mines Development,” the statement reads.
However, the group noted that the current government has been transparent and credible in the award of licenses to investors but that it is on the verge of being corrupt by the action of the NMA and the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources.
Despite repeated calls and text messages, the spokesperson of NMA Ibrahim Satti Kamara could not respond at the time of going to press.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (24/09/21)
