In a concerted effort to curb water pollution, a joint operation by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Office of National Security (ONS), and the media has led to the destruction of 22 illegal dredges across several villages in Kailahun, Kenema, and Bo Districts.

The operation, which targeted dredge mining activities, saw coordinated enforcement in Laah village (Mando Chiefdom), Kamao village (Upper Bambara Chiefdom), Sansahun village (Njaluahun Chiefdom) in Kailahun District, as well as Sembehun Nagbena village (Kandu Lekpeama Chiefdom) in Kenema District, and Boama Station and Gadema in Bo District.

Led by the Southern Regional Office in Bo and the Eastern Regional Office in Kenema, the operation aimed to enforce compliance with the environmental standards outlined in the 2022 EPA Act. The campaign is part of a broader strategy to prevent the detrimental effects of illegal mining, which include severe pollution of water bodies due to the use of toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide. These substances have not only increased water turbidity but also pose significant threats to both human health and aquatic ecosystems.

During the crackdown, five illegal miners were apprehended and handed over to regional police authorities for further investigation. These individuals were found operating without the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) licenses, a violation of Section 24(1) of the EPA Act of 2022. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reiterated that it does not issue EIA licenses for mining activities in water bodies, underscoring the illegality of such operations.

The EPA, in collaboration with regional authorities and Chiefdom Environmental Enforcement Committees (CEECom), remains committed to combating illegal dredge mining. The agency emphasized the importance of preserving biodiversity and maintaining environmental standards to ensure the well-being of communities and ecosystems throughout Sierra Leone.