By Omonu YG Nelson, Freetown, S/Leone
The specter of illegal mining looms large over West Africa, its tendrils reaching deep into national economies and communities, siphoning away precious resources and leaving behind a trail of environmental and social devastation. Last week, during an ECOWAS Parliament seminar aptly titled “Illegal mining and its implications in the ECOWAS Region,” held in Freetown, republic of Sierra Leone, a stark reality was laid bare by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Speaker, Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis. His presentation, armed with alarming statistics, exposed the staggering revenue losses incurred by countries like Nigeria and their West African counterparts due to this illicit activity.
Citing the Community’s vision 2050 document, he said that the mining sector has the potential to contribute 7.5 per cent to Ghana’s GDP, 10.2 per cent to the GDP of Burkina Faso, 4 per cent to the GDP of Cote d’Ivoire while Nigeria receives only 9% from the sector with 80 per cent of the mining in the country’s North West region carried out illegally.
The discussions resonated with urgency, highlighting the detrimental impacts of this widespread menace. This article delves into the seminar’s key takeaways, exploring the multifaceted dangers posed by illegal mining, and examining the proposed solutions to safeguard the region’s future.
Illegal mining casts a long shadow over West Africa, its ramifications extending far beyond the extraction of precious minerals. As the outgoing Speaker Tunis of the ECOWAS Parliament emphasised, it acts as a potent catalyst for insecurity, disrupting communities, fueling criminal activities, and even contributing to armed conflict. This was echoed by Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the Sierra Leonean President, who painted a stark picture of economic devastation, with billions of dollars in lost revenue depriving nations of their rightful resources and hindering sustainable development.
Beyond these immediate concerns, illegal mining leaves behind a trail of environmental destruction. Unregulated practices wreak havoc on landscapes, causing deforestation, water pollution, and soil contamination. Communities bear the brunt of these ecological imbalances, facing health risks, diminished agricultural productivity, and the irreversible loss of biodiversity.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, the seminar offered a ray of hope through its proposed solutions. Strengthening legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms emerged as a central theme. This entails revising outdated mining laws, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the mining process, and investing in robust law enforcement capabilities. Building regional collaboration was also recognized as crucial. Sharing best practices, fostering cross-border intelligence, and coordinating efforts can create a united front against illegal mining networks.
The seminar placed emphasis on the importance of empowering local communities. Engaging directly with affected populations, understanding their grievances, and fostering their participation in decision-making processes is essential to building trust and combating illegal mining from the ground up. Providing alternative livelihoods, investing in education and healthcare, and ensuring equitable benefit-sharing can incentivize communities to become active stakeholders in protecting their resources.
The seminar acknowledged the potential of technology in combating illegal mining. Satellite imagery and remote sensing can provide real-time monitoring of mining activities, while blockchain technology can offer greater transparency in supply chains. Investing in these tools and building capacity for their effective utilization can significantly enhance enforcement efforts.
The ECOWAS Parliament seminar served as a crucial platform for raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and charting a path towards a future free from the shackles of illegal mining. However, translating these aspirations into concrete action requires sustained commitment from governments, regional institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners. Only through collective action can West Africa effectively tackle this complex challenge and unlock the true potential of its mineral resources for inclusive and sustainable development.
The fight against illegal mining requires a multi-pronged approach, encompassing robust legal frameworks, regional cooperation, community empowerment, and technological innovation. Dr. Tunis’s statistics served as a stark reminder of the stakes involved, urging West African nations to join forces and commit to safeguarding their resources and securing a brighter future for their people. Only through collective action can the region break free from the stranglehold of illegal mining and unlock the true potential of its mineral wealth for sustainable development and shared prosperity.
