NOTIFICATION FOR THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) OF THE JM MINING GOLD PROJECT DUE TO COMMENCE IN KENEMA DISTRICT, SIERRA LEONE
This notice serves to inform interested and/or affected persons/parties (I&APs) about the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) conducted with respect to the commencement of a large-scale underground gold mining project by JM Mining Company in Kenema, in the East of Sierra Leone.
JM Mining Kenema (SL) Ltd is an exploration and mining company registered in Sierra Leone in October 2018. The company acquired an exploration license (EL 24/2017) covering an area of 137.07 km2 in the Nongowa and Small Bo Chiefdoms, Kenema District, for the purpose of gold and base metal exploration. With the success of the exploration activities, JM Mining is applying for a large-scale mining license, of area 82.3 km2, in order to transition from exploration to active mining. The large-scale gold mining area of the concession falls within the Nongowa chiefdom which hosts 89% of the exploration concession. Ten communities were identified within the project area, likely to be directly impacted by project activities (within 5km of the gold mining area); these include Bambawo, Kailahun, Jaluahun, Jida, Basara, Kunduwahun, Largo, Panderu, Hanga, and Madina.
In terms of international standards and the laws of Sierra Leone, the project needs to be planned and designed in a manner that minimizes the potential negative social and environmental impacts and maximizes the benefits. This ESIA study is part of the company’s process of application in line with the Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone’s (EPA-SL) requirements for securing an EIA license to operate. The ESIA study was undertaken by CEMMATS Group Ltd. (CEMMATS), an experienced Environmental Assessment consultancy with vast experience of work in the mining sector, in collaboration with staff of JM Mining. This collaboration has made for a comprehensive assessment that adequately addresses all the major issues that may arise from the mining operations and ensure that JM Mining proceeds with its proposed large scale underground gold mining operations whilst adopting sound environmental principles.
This assessment 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 EPA-SL are to be presented to interested and affected persons during a public consultation and disclosure sessions for discussion at the following locations and dates at 9:30a.m.:
- Kenema City – 14th October 2024
- Bambawo Community – 15th October 2024
The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study for the JM Mining Project was reported in two volumes titled:
- Volume 1 – The Executive Summary and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
- Volume 2– Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)
The reports are now available for reference purposes at the following locations:
Freetown:
- The Environment Protection Agency – Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) office, 92 Dundas Street, Freetown
- CEMMATS Group Ltd.at 7A Cantonment Road, Beyoh House, off King Harman Road, Brookfields, Freetown;
- The Sierra Leone Library Board, Tower Hill
Kenema:
- JM Mining Office, Kenema
- Environment Protection Agency, Regional Office
- The National Mineral Agency, Regional Office
CEMMATS kindly invites you and other key stakeholders to participate in the consultation process for this project. Your input and any issues or insights that you may have regarding the project will be valuable in the specialist investigations. Comments can be submitted verbally at the stakeholders’ workshop or in written format. Written comments must be posted to CEMMATS Group Ltd, 7A Cantonment Road, off King Harman Road, Freetown or via email or telephone to the addresses provided below. We look forward to your participation in the consultation and disclosure process.
Consultant: CEMMATS Group Ltd. Contact: Environmental Department
Tel: +232-76-656-126
Email:admin@cemmatssl.com
Project Proponent: JM Mining
Contact: Tel: +232-592-251
Email: kamajor.bockarie@joiningminds.com