On November 12, 2024, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Environment, Hon. Jiwoh E. Abdulai, inaugurated a new project focused on minimizing mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the initiative aims to formalize the gold mining sector and introduce eco-friendly mining practices.
Held at the Family Kingdom in Freetown, the event saw attendance from key stakeholders, including representatives from Kenya, the United States, and local Sierra Leonean partners. Led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with Conservation International, the project’s primary goal is to reduce mercury reliance by promoting cleaner mining technology and formalizing the gold supply chain. Through these actions, the project seeks to protect both the environment and public health, while improving miners’ livelihoods.
The project will initially roll out across Kailahun, Bo, and Tonkolili districts, with plans to expand based on the data collected. Minister Abdulai emphasized the importance of balancing economic needs with environmental protection, underscoring the need for sustainable practices in the country’s vital mining sector.
The launch highlighted the collective effort to ensure safer, mercury-free mining while enhancing the environmental landscape of Sierra Leone.
