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The Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone [EPA-SL], in partnership with Conservation International, has officially launched the Implementation Phase of the $2.7M GEF-Funded Project.
Titled ‘Enhancing the Formalisation and Mercury Reduction in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Sierra Leone’ (Gold+ Project) at the Family Kingdom Resort, Freetown.
Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, officially launched the project which was attended by paramount chiefs, members of the media, the National Minerals Agency, civil society organisations, and other relevant stakeholders.
The Planet Gold Sierra Leone Project will formalise ASGM efforts, enhance environmental management techniques, and reduce mercury use in gold extraction. The initiative aims to alleviate environmental degradation, reduce health risks, enhance livelihoods, and formalise the gold supply chain by implementing more responsible mining processes, all while contributing to national and global environmental goals.
This also aligns with the objectives of the Minamata Convention, which is a global treaty that aims to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury, a hazardous chemical used in gold mining.
The 5-year project has 3 project sites/chiefdoms, namely Nemima Village, Penguia Chiefdom in Kailahun district, Kholifa Ruwala Chiefdom in Tonkolili district, Baomahum Town, and Valunia Chiefdom in Bo district, with a projection beneficiary population of 11,560 with 50% women. The project will engage these local communities, government bodies, and private sector stakeholders to establish a sustainable ASGM sector.
It will provide technical support to miners, strengthen regulatory agencies, and promote mercury-free gold extraction processes. Conservation International, the implementing agency, will provide technical support, advice, and an assessment of the project objectives, while the EPA will execute the project.
The expected outcomes will include not only the objectives of the project but also tackle challenges such as deforestation, water contamination, and mercury pollution that Sierra Leone is faced with.
It very good that the implementation /execution of the project involves 50% of women and deforestation of these chiefdoms will benefit Sierra Leone Natural Resources. Thank you to the sponsors.
Transformative projects like this which will make measurable impacts on the lives of beneficiaries are what we crave for. Kudos to the Global Environment Facility for the support