By Newman Anthony Levey in Bo
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Sierra Leone has cleared Supreme Minerals Corporation Sierra Leone Limited to commence mining gold in Valunia Chiefdom, Bo district.
EPA gave the company its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license over the weekend.
Copies of a correspondence sent to the company by the agency indicate that the EIA license is valid for twelve months from 03/02/2020 to 02/02/2021 and it’s for small scale gold mining.
Chief Executive of the company, Malik Chennam, told Politico that they were elated about the confidence the country had instilled in them.
"Naturally we are elated with the award of this milestone permission from EPA. I believe this document recognizes the seriousness with which my company approaches responsible mining in Sierra Leone," he said.
"This is a culmination of years of hard work and dedication in this country and seeing the first fruits of this makes me personally very happy,” he added.
Work in the mines is expected to start in March, according to the Chennam.
“We at the Supreme Minerals Corporation believe mining is an engine for development and growth, enhancing the wealth of all the people of Sierra Leone and every day we practically look forward to ensure this happens in an environmentally and socially sound manner,” he said.
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