By Anna Marie Valentine
The Geological Department under the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy recently held a validation workshop on the Quarry Regulations 2024. The workshop brought together stakeholders from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as governors, local community leaders, chiefs and Alkalolu.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Mr Lamin Camara reiterated the need to take care of our natural resources. “Mining plays a huge part in the infrastructural evolution of The Gambia and we must have laws and regulations in place that guide the sustainable process of mining and mitigate any risks that come from quarrying,” he stressed.
The Mines and Quarries Act 2005 is the primary law commanding the mining sector. The law regulates prospecting mining and quarrying operations and its related matters to ensure responsible and sustainable extraction.
Honourable Nani Juwara, Minister of Petroleum and Energy assured that the Ministry shall continue to formulate necessary and required legal, regulatory and policy measures for the management of the extractive industry and the development of mineral resources.
“The demand for material resources like sand and gravel continues to rise exponentially. Their continuous availability is of utmost importance for our economic development. The Government has taken a deliberate and conscious step in terms of shifting its policy focus from coastal sand mining to dredging as an alternative source to meet our increasing demand,” Hon. Juwara stated.
The Director of the Geological Deparment, Mr Alieu Jawo, took participants through the regulations, and encouraged a thorough look at all aspects of the regulations.
The Geological Department is undergoing transformation and the addition of an up-to-date regulation is considered another achievement for the Department and the Ministry.
Quarrying plays an important role in the country’s socio-economic development, through job creation and revenue generation for the Government. Therefore, authorities believe it is imperative to protect and effectively manage our natural resources for sustainability, especially nonrenewable resources.
Sustainability of the supply of gravel, sand and other mineral resources for our construction industries, requires the formulation of an up-to-date quarry regulation that addresses not only current challenges but also fulfils future aspirations and opportunities in the geological sector.
The increase in economic development triggered by the construction industry increased the demand for these materials. The regulation emphasises the need to protect the forests, environment and ecology from the adverse effects of quarrying activities while also highlighting aspects of enforcement of the quarrying management plan for proper adoption of the right approaches to restore quarry sites.
