EPA Arrests Two Chinese Nationals And a Sierra Leonean in Koinadugu District for Illegal Mining

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has on the 6^th December 2023 arrested two Chinese Nationals and one Sierra Leonean in Koinadugu District.

The arrest was made during an on-the-spot check in Darakuru Village, Koinadugu District, for engaging in illegal mining.

Their statement reads; A Sierra Leonean and two Chinese nationals were on Wednesday 6th December 2023, arrested during an on-the-spot check in Darakuru Village, Koinadugu District, for engaging in illegal mining.

The small-scale miners had failed to produce a valid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) License in contravention of Section 24(1) of the Environment Protection Agency’s Act of 2022.

The Agency found out that they had been illegally mining gold in the area without licenses.

They were handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department, Mena Police Station in Makeni for further investigation.

The illegal miners were denied bail in compliance with section 17 (3)(a) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No.6 of 1991.

The Environment Protection Agency remains committed to ensuring compliance with environmental laws and the protection of the environment.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

Fatmata Yambasu | 2023-12-09 15:42:37

The EPA should engage on the spot checks along the River Wanjie in the Futa Peje chiefdom as there is massive illegal mining and timber logging in the only reserve Bojani forest situated between Wonde and Futa Peje chiefdim in the South and Languama chiefdom in the Eastern province.