The Environment Protection Agency has destroyed Over Seventy Dredge Machines in Illegal Mining raid in the country’s rivers and waterways
The Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPASL) was established by the Environment Protection Act of 2008 as amended in 2010 to protect the Environment of Sierra Leone and effectively manage its natural resources

From the 21st of February to the 6th of March this year, a team led by the directors of Field Operations and Extensions, including Legal, Compliance and Enforcement, External Relations and Advocacy, and officials from regional security forces, traveled throughout the country to investigate illegal dredge river mining.

The agency determined that dredge mining in Moa River, Jagbema village, Jawei Chiefdom, Kailahun district, Sewa by Gedema village, Simbaru chiefdom, Kenema district, Sewa by Gondama barracks, Bo district, Taia tributary by Nyadehun village Valunia chiefdom, Bo district, Taia river by Mongere, Valunia chiefdom, Bo district, ⁠Kangari forest reserve, Baomahun, Valunia chiefdom, Bo district,⁠Sewa and Bafi river in Kono district, ⁠Panpana River in Tonkolili district, Roker river by Binkolo village, Bombali district, ⁠Kabala river crossing in Karene district and Taia river by Yele, Tonkolili district pose serious risks to our waterways and ecosystem.

Such illegal use of mercury, a harmful chemical, has disrupted ecosystems, altered flow patterns, led to erosion, contaminated waterways with toxic chemicals, and endangered aquatic life and human health, hence the agency has always refused to issue Environmental Impact Assessment Licenses to undertake such degrading environmental activity.

Throughout the raid, the team engaged the Police Force’s regional headquarters, encouraged collaboration, and conducted community outreach on the impacts of chemical abuse and illegal mining, which were largely informal settlements.

In compliance with section 12 of the EPA Act, 2022, and the Presidential Directive to stem the pollution of water bodies dated 9th June 2021, the agency destroyed over seventy dredges discovered doing illegal mining, arrested illegal miners and turned them over to the Police for further investigation and prosecution.

The EPA recognizes the urgent need to safeguard our rivers and environment for current and future generations, and through stringent regulations, enforcement measures, and community engagement, we will continue our efforts to combat dredging and illicit mining and ensure a sustainable future for all.