Wilkinson Hill Mining Company, a subsidiary of AMR Gold will commence mining operation later in the year after the rains, Mohamed Sultan Daffae, Admin and Finance Manager of AMR Gold said in an interview on June 24. The National Minerals Agency (NMA) has granted Wilkinson Hill Mining Company a mining license to mine coltan known in the country as black stone in Sella Limba Chiefdom in the Bombali District.
“We have secured the mining license, done public disclosure of our environmental impact assessment and waiting to receive the EIA license from the environmental agency before the start of operation,” Mr. Daffae said. “AMR Gold and its subsidiary Wilkinson Hill respects the laws of Sierra Leone and will not go an inch against it.”
AMR Gold is providing jobs for the people of Sella Limba and Mr. Daffae promises to employ more people especially the youths with the start of the Wilkinson Hill operation.
“The fall in iron ore prices in the world market has affected the country in terms of foreign exchange. We have a responsibility to revive it and that is what we are exactly doing at AMR Gold to create the jobs and find viable alternatives to address the issues of foreign exchange,” he stressed.
AMR Gold won a lawsuit against illegal miners wanting to operate within its exploration area in the Fast Track Commercial Court last week, he said.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) put out a public notice last week claiming to close down the company’s mining activities because Wilkinson Hill has not received an EIA license from the agency.
“How do you stop an operation that has not started?” Mr. Daffae queried. He claimed that the EPA release was issued without the agency sending a copy to them. “This is the time to work collectively to find answers to youth unemployment and get the foreign exchange needed for importation. Environmental protection is very fundamental to the company’s operations,” he stressed.
He said it is almost eight months since Wilkinson Hill completed the process in acquiring such license from EPA. Mr. Daffae said they are always ready to work with the agency and want to know the reason for the delay in receiving the license.
Monday June 27, 2016
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