BY ADAMA CONTEH
232NEWS, FREETOWN
CEMMATS Group Limited has ended Public Disclosure of the Environmental Social and Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) on Sierra Rutile Ltd’s Sembehun Mineral Sands Mining Project, in Moyamba District.
The ESHIA took place on the 27th October, 2023 at the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) hall in Freetown.
Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL) currently operates the Mine Lease Area 1 (MLA 1) at Lower Banta, Imperri, Jong and Upper Banta Chiefdoms located in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone within the Bonthe and Moyamba Districts. MLA 1 covers an area of 290.6 km2 and has been in operation for over 50 years; however, the mineral resources within MLA 1 are nearing their end of life. Therefore, SRL proposes to expand the operation and develop the Sembehun Mineral Sands Project located 30 km northwest of MLA 1 in the Moyamba District.
MLA 1 has an existing Environmental License (EPA-SL 030 granted on 30 April 2019). However, the Project’s expansion warrants a comprehensive ESHIA which will depict the associated environmental, social and health impacts of the Project as stipulated in the EPA Act, 2022.
In compliance with the laws of Sierra Leone, the Project needs to be carried out in a manner that minimizes the potential negative social and environmental impacts and maximizes the benefits. This can be achieved through the ESHIA process which international consultants, Digby Wells Environmental, in association with local partner, CEMMATS Group Ltd., have undertaken.
This ESHIA is now at the stage where the results need to be presented to interested and/or affected persons/parties for discussion and finalization. The reports submitted to the Environment Protection Agency – Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) are to be presented to interested and affected persons at public consultation and disclosure workshops at:
- Bagruwa Native Administration Court Barray, Sembehun Town on 23rd October 2023.
- Moyamba District Council Hall, Moyamba Town on 24th October 2023.
- Moriba Town Court Barray – SRL Area 1 on 25 October 2023.
- Council of Churches Sierra Leone (CCSL) Hall, Kingharman Road Brookfields, Freetown on 27th October 2023.
The ESHIA was reported in several volumes consisting of the main ESHIA report and 26 appendices containing details of the individual environmental and social specialist studies conducted.
Nyaveh Keili, in her presentation about introduction, project description and resettlement said they have gained permit to do their project. “We have mining in Sierra Leone for 50 years, and we will continue to mining for another 20 years”, she stated.
She continued that the people will need to relocate to another place for 15 years for the project to take place. She furthered mentioned that they have engaged stakeholders and that they consulted the people and leaders of that community.
She disclosed that Sierra Rutile wants to expand their project to Sembehun. “The project is said to last for 15 years”, she explained. She revealed that 13 villages are to relocate to another village which consists of 2.269 people and 540 households to relocate their houses before the world will start.
She mentioned that compensation will also be given to those living in that area and also the owners of these areas. “We have come up with a resettlement and livelihood Restoration plan (LRP) and there will be lots of cultivated lands, access to schools, religious houses and there will be impact to livestock” she noted.
The reports are now available for reference purposes at the following locations:
Project Area
- Educational Resources Centre – Near Imperri Radio Station- Plant Site – SRL Area 1.
- Imperri Native Administration Court Barray – Gbangbama Town – Imperri Chiefdom – SRL Area 1.
- Bagruwa Native Administration Court Barray – Sembehun Town – Bagruwa Chiefdom – SRL Area 5.
- Moyamba District Council Hall – Moyamba Town – Kayamba Chiefdom – SRL Area 5. Freetown
- The EPA-SL office, 92 Dundas Street, Freetown.
- The Sierra Leone National Library, Rokel Street Freetown.
- CEMMATS Group Ltd.at 7A Cantonment Road, Beyoh House, off King Harman Road, Brookfields, Freetown.
Online
- CEMMATS website: https://cemmatsgrouplimited.org
- SRL website: https://sierra-rutile.com/our-company
The general public and other key stakeholders are hereby invited to participate in the consultation process for this Project. Comments can be submitted verbally at the stakeholders’ workshop or in written format prior to the workshops and for a two-week period following the workshops. Written comments can be sent to CEMMATS Group Ltd, 7A Cantonment Road, off King Harman Road, Freetown or via email to the addresses provided below. We look forward to your participation in the consultation and disclosure process.
