EPA Destroys Over 20 Dredging Machines Used for Illegal Mining in Bo District

The Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone, Southern Region team, conducted the joint raid exercise with the Sierra Leone Police Force and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces along the Sewa River in Wailahun Village, Bumpeh Chiefdom, Bo District.

Acting on intelligence reports, the enforcement team targeted unauthorized mining activities responsible for severe environmental degradation, marine pollution, and the use of hazardous chemicals.

The operation resulted in the dismantling and destroying of over twenty illegal dredging machines, marking a significant step in curbing unsanctioned mining practices.

Illegal dredge mining poses a serious threat to Sierra Leone’s natural resources, ecosystems, and public health.

The extraction of minerals from water bodies disrupts aquatic life, accelerates erosion, and increases sedimentation, degrading water quality and endangering the livelihoods of communities dependent on the Sewa River for drinking water, fishing, and irrigation.

One of the most alarming concerns is the use of mercury, a toxic chemical employed in gold extraction. Mercury contamination in water bodies leads to bioaccumulation in fish and aquatic organisms, posing severe health risks to humans. Long-term exposure to mercury-laden fish has been linked to neurological disorders, kidney damage, and developmental issues in children.

Additionally, hydrocarbons from fuel and lubricants used in dredging machinery further pollute the water, rendering agricultural lands infertile over time. This environmental damage threatens food security and economic stability for local farmers who rely on the land for sustenance.

The EPA and its partners also engaged village authorities and residents to raise awareness about the long-term consequences of illegal mining. While these activities may provide short-term financial benefits, they inflict lasting harm on the environment, public health, and sustainable development.

The EPA reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside chiefdom leaders, local communities, and stakeholders to promote sustainable and legal mining practices that protect natural resources while fostering economic growth.

The agency will continue monitoring and taking decisive action against activities that threaten Sierra Leone’s ecological balance and public well-being and ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for all.