In June 2020, Malagen made the following important findings in its investigative report about mining in The Gambia. It exposed the environmental damage to the land resources as well as the economic loss to the women of Sanyang.
The report clearly underlined the recommendations of the Janneh Commission of Inquiry which were not implemented at the time of the publication of the report. Malagen’s report serves as an appropriate basis for criminal, regulatory and administrative investigations to begin. Have they commenced?
Malagen revealed the following irregularities with the mining sector, and in particular about GACH’s operations:
“Under President Barrow, the company in charge, GACH, does not even keep a tax file with the tax authorities and has not been paying taxes. “
“the company in charge has been escavating and exporting without environmental license from the environmental watchdog.”
“Under President Barrow, the amounts that land on the accounts of the state come in piecemeal and the total so far seems to be pittance when compared to the estimates of revenue generated and agreed share distribution.”
“Following its inquiry covering the environmental issues affecting the communities where mineral sand is mined, the Janneh Commission recommends that no further mining should take place in the coastal areas without an independent assesment. This however, has not been adhered to.”
“Gach Mining Company has not been paying tax and as of February 2020, does not even have a tax file at the GRA since its registration in June 2017.”
“Moreover, details of exports being carried out by Gach Mining are not featured in the database of GRA for the years 2017, 2018 and 2019.”
From the above quotes the public needs to know whether;
1. A tax file was opened at the GRA for GACH?
2. An environmental license is now issued to GACH?
3. A share distribution agreement between the Government and GACH is now respected?
4. An independent assesment was done in the area where GACH is mining?
5. details of exports by GACH are contained in GRA’s database?
Answers are needed.