The Ministry of Mines and Energy has ended a one-day meeting in Ganta City, Nimba County with stakeholders following the lifting of the four years moratorium on mining activities in the County.
The meeting held at Jackie’s Guest House, a local entertainment center, was under the theme ‘Empowering Our People Through the Mining Sector’. Participants included district commissioners, superintendents, mining agents, gold and diamond miners, amongst others.
The Minister of Mines Emmanuel T. Swen, says the meeting was intended to have consultation with the county officials, local ministry staff and miners, and tribal people on how they can proceed with their mining process, now that the moratorium has been lifted.
He says stakeholders review many issues such as licensing, enforcement of various decisions in line with mining laws, and other international best practices.
Minister Swen notes that the engagement meeting also looked at the role of all stakeholders in ensuring that there exists a conducive mining environment.
He says the Ministry is going to take seriously all recommendations that emanated from the meeting, especially those ones that are significant to the forward march of the governance process of the mining sector.In 2014, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf placed a moratorium on all mining activities in Nimba following a demonstration by citizens of Zolowee against the mining company, ArcelorMittal, in demand of land benefits.
Meanwhile, gold and diamond miners in Nimba describe as a great relief, the suspension of the moratorium on mining activities in the county. Prior to the lifting of the ban, there had been illegal mining activities by locals.
By Thomas Domah /Nimba–Editing by Jonathan Browne
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