In a decisive move to address escalating illegal mining activities, the National Minerals Agency (NMA) on April 18, 2025, intervened in Penguia Chiefdom, ordering an immediate halt to mining operations that had dangerously encroached upon residential areas.
Ing. Mohamed Gaima, the NMA Regional Manager, led a high-level delegation to the chiefdom following a recent exposé by the Kamabobu Waterfall News Network, which shed light on the perilous situation. The gravity of the issue was underscored by the presence of key figures in the delegation, including the Sierra Leone Police officer in charge of Penguia, the Sierra Leone Army commander stationed in the region, the chairman of the Kailahun District Council’s mining committee, and resident mines compliance officers.
Addressing a concerned assembly of local chiefs and community members, Ing. Gaima delivered a firm and unequivocal message. He stressed the fundamental incompatibility of mining within residential zones, declaring, “A mining site cannot be a town, and a town cannot be a mining site.” He presented the community with a clear ultimatum: either immediately halt all mining activities within the town, relocate the town to facilitate mining elsewhere, or face the full force of the law for engaging in a punishable offense under Sierra Leonean legislation.
Ing. Gaima emphasized the severe dangers posed by unchecked mining, including significant environmental degradation, increased risk of devastating floods due to reckless excavations near homes, and the potential contamination of vital water sources. He echoed the urgent concerns raised by the Kamabobu Waterfall News Network about the safety and well-being of residents, especially the vulnerability of children living near unstable mining pits.
In direct response to the intervention, the chiefs of Penguia Chiefdom pledged to immediately cease all mining operations within the town. They further committed to a full rehabilitation of all pits excavated over the past week, demonstrating a proactive effort to address and rectify the hazardous conditions.
This swift and decisive action by the National Minerals Agency—carried out in collaboration with local law enforcement, the military, and district council representatives—sends a strong message against illegal and unsafe mining practices. It highlights the critical importance of adhering to mining regulations and prioritizing the health and safety of communities over unauthorized and environmentally destructive mineral exploitation.
Authorities and the public will be closely monitoring the commitments made by the Penguia chiefs to ensure the complete cessation of illegal mining and the timely rehabilitation of affected areas within the stipulated one-week timeframe.
