SEAWRIGHT MINING ENDS ESIA PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

In line with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 2008 and amended in 2010, Seawright Mining Company through the report prepared by ECOSYS Sierra Leone Limited on proposed Diamond and Gold exploration project has ended two days Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in the NjaimaSewafe, Kono District and GoramaMende in Kenema District Project ESHIA.

Story By Mariama B. Bah  

The events took place at the NjaimaSewafe Court Barray-Nimiyama Chiefdom, Kono District on Wednesday 21st December 2016 and Pondoru School –GoramaMende Chiefdoms, KenemaDistricts on the 22rd December, 2016 respectively. 

In his welcome remarks, Chief Philip Koroma Chiefdom Speaker said the people of Njaima are very developmental oriented, unique, accommodative and friendly.

He disclosed that there were lots of talks since Seawright started their operation in that chiefdom. He said the meeting explained it all about the operation of the company and what they stand for.

Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Kamorba K. Dabo EPA Regional Officer, Kono Districts said EPA has being interacting with Seawright for a long time now.

He said the meeting is for public disclosure. He added that the exercise was done by a renowned environmental consulting firm ECOSYS.

“EPA is not against mining but the agency is here to protect the environment for the next generation through that the environmental impact assessment came in to play, the disclosure is one of the laws.”

He urged his audience to be more attentive as they saw the disclosure as one that is very important and for them not to cast blame on the elders and EPA.

He said no mining will take place if a company fails to do an assessment on the environment.

“If public disclosure don’t take place we will not know what the people wants and expecting as our responsibility is to take care of the land and the people. Public disclosure is plain talk and  face-to-face discussion. It is unfortunate for me not to see enough women.”

He appealed to all to work in the interest of the community and hope that after the disclosure they will not regret.

Sheku Sheriff Regional Engineer, National Minerals Agency said for one to acquire any mining license in the country, they have to do ESIA.

He added that they were in the meeting to observe and to ensure that the report Seawright presented is in line with the will of the people and the environment.

“Give suggestion on things you think will and will not adapt to your environment because what they are going to do may affect you positively or negatively.  If anything they have to do will base on what you agreed on.”

Paramount Chief of NjaimaSewafe, Kono District P.C. George B. Torto the 3rd reflected on some of the damages that have occurred due to mining in some communities.

He said they don’t want the situation that occurred in Tankoro to happen to the two chiefdoms. PC Torto disclosed that the first problem they got with Seawright resolved peacefully.

He said government at times doesn’t inform them about some of the companies that are doing mining in their chiefdom, adding that,  at times, they give two different companies the same land and later canceled one for another.

“Some companies are not abiding with the agreement and EPA and NME are watching them. When we talk, we were told it is from orders from above,” Chief Torto said.

Chief Torto went on to say that Seawright is the only friendliest company in that chiefdom. He cited some of the corporate social responsibility they have being doing in the chiefdom, such as education, road and health. 

Development, PC Torto said is their key concern. He encouraged his people to encourage companies and for them to start with Seawright by giving them chance to operate.

Paramount Chief of GoramaMende Chiefdoms, Kenema Districts Madam MariamaKamandawelcome the initiative by SeaWright. She said she  is very optimistic about the operation of Seawright in her Chiefdom.

Constituency 025 Honourable, Tom Issic Tucker said mining have advantages and disadvantages which he said EPA has a role to play towards that.  He said most mining companies are doing illegal activities because it is very expensive to have operated as a licensed mining company.

“This is a mandate from the government through EPA for them to do. Let us give the company the support. They have done the findings and the report is here for us to approve”

Seawright Chief Operation Officer (COO), William Brown Kamanda used the opportunity to re-introduce the company to the people. He disclosed that the operation started in 2013 and it is an American company that is managed by a Sierra Leonean.

He explained some of the odd times they have gone through when they started their operation.

He went on to say that they now have area map in Njaima and this is one of the Chiefdom they can count on.

“We did the formal thing but there were misrepresentation on the way. We made our camp by the bridge. We started our operation but it was not easy for us but with determination we move again in 2015 to date.” 

He added that they were operating under the name Sewa Mining but in 2016  they changed the name to Seawright Mining Company.

“Our exploration is diamond and gold and that is our primary focus. In 2013 we came as a company.”

He described Kono as a good place in terms of business. He called on the communities to support them to be able to investigate as they have three years.

He disclosed further that Seawright has spent $10,652 in their operation as a company.

“We bought machines, pay customs, pay staff, operational fuel. All my staffs are under NRA and NASSIT. We employee 150 only 7 are not paying tax due to their status.”

He said their operation is only limited in Kono but when he took over this year, he decided to convince his investor for them to expand which they are now doing in Kenema.

“We are strengthening the relationship with the communities; our doors are always open to the community people. There are lots of development that has occurred in this community, road rehabilitation, fixing of imported bridges, and education. We have more things to do; plans are on the pipe line.”

He said they are just exploring not mining at the moment.

“We don’t want to promise you that we will do this or that but what we have put in our hearts are for the good of the communities and for the relationship to continue. We targeted Le 150,000 Million for each of the communities to come up with suggestion for 3 years development.      

Team Leader for the Public Disclosure Report for Seawright Mining Company Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report Anthony Davies of Ecosys(SL) Ltd said the total land area is about 50 Km2 (5000 hectares).

It is about 500 meters to Punduru and Nyawama. He said the area and license was previously acquired by the Sewa Mining Company which mainly used artisanal/local methods for mining the minerals.

Seawright Mining presently has bought the entire share from Sewa Mining Company and its 100% owned by Seawright Mining Company Limited.

He disclosed that the company intends to embark on exploration of the mining concession of the Exploration license EL 45/11 for the next three years. The exploration activities he added are targeted to capture Diamonds, Gold and any other chance finding.

The proposed exploration activities is to commence in the South-Eastern part of Sierra Leone along the Sewa River, Between Kenema and Kono Districts in brief, prospecting for Diamonds, Gold and any chance finding are core activities.

“The Seawright Mining Company is committed to design and operate the proposed development to the same standard as obliged by the GoSL and the regulatory Agency, such as EPA and NMA. SWM is also committed to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements that is obtain in Sierra Leone. This commitment also applies to the Expatriate Contractor. The design and operational criteria for the exploration processes and facility have been based upon guidance provided by various GoSL authorities, legislative and regulatory considerations identified below, and the World Bank and International Finance Corporation performance standards.”

He went on to say Seawright Mining Company acknowledges their responsibility to the environment and also to the EPA Act, 2008 and 2010. The developers have therefore identified and examined all the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed exploration project and the operation of various exploration equipment and facilities, and have addressed these concerns in this assessment report.

The EIA discussed various environmental and social issues likely to arise from the proposed Projects. Major activities to be carried out include; the major facilities to be built/installed or upgraded at the two camp sites will be the senior staff quarters, first aid medical post, and respective workshops. Communication sets, landscaping. Within the exploration zone, will be opening of pits, excavation and hauling of gravels and decommission of pits. A total of 1.2 Million United States Dollars has been earmarked for these projects. Appropriate arrangement will be made to ensure as little inconvenience to all members of the community as possible.

Ecosys suggestions to Seawrights were for them to support the two communities with energy, education, water and sanitation for the communities.

“We gave them the advice on what they should do to avoid pollution in the water; they should allow women and physically challenge to work for them.”

Statements were also made by Councilor of Ward 80 Kono District, SahrMattia, Philip M.S. Yarjah, Valuation Officer Kono District Council and Socio-Economic Impact Assessment Team Leader Alex Roger.