The illicit mine in Paboken, Jaedepo District, Sinoe County, where the Ministry of Mines made the seizure. Picture credit: Ministry of Mines and Energy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ByVarney Kamara<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n ZWEDRU, Grand Gedeh \u2013 The Ministry of Mines and Energy has seized machines at an illicit mine in Sinoe County, ordering its closure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the weekend, the Ministry held an excavator and a mini washing plant at the mine in Paboken, Jaedepo District. The mine owner, identified as Mohamed Kamara (no relation to this reporter), fled the scene, said Awell Aloysius Carr, the Director of Mines at the ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBased on the scale of illicit mining activities we saw in this area, we immediately issued a closure and seizure order,\u201d Carr, the told The DayLight in the Zwedru. \u201cI saw massive footprints. I mean areas that were excavated, water courses were diverted, vegetation was destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carr said the ministry would take the matter, and had informed local chiefs and elders, urging them not to shield the alleged perpetrator. Mining without a license violates the <\/a>Minerals and Mining Law<\/a>, with a fine, a prison term, or both for violators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The seizure forms part of a broader crackdown on illegal mining across the country, particularly artisanal and small-scale mines. However, it was the authorities\u2019 first visit to Paboken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recently, the ministry appointed a mining agent to the area after recalling the previous one in a move to reform one of the government\u2019s most important yet challenging sectors. The ministry has established County Mining Offices to counter illegal mining. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am not going to sugar-quote this,\u201d Carr said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe want to say to people out there\u2026 that gone are the days you will come and destroy our forest, deplete our resources, and you think that you will go scot-free.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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