By Fatou Krubally
Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Minister Rohey John Manjang has acknowledged that existing penalties for mining operators who fail to rehabilitate degraded sites are not strong enough to deter non-compliance.
Manjang made the disclosure on Wednesday at the National Assembly while responding to questions on the enforcement of rehabilitation requirements for sand and gravel mining sites.
She said the government recognises the environmental and public safety risks associated with mining, particularly where extraction leaves open pits, degraded land and exposed surfaces that can contribute to soil erosion and endanger surrounding communities.
According to Manjang, rehabilitation requirements are already incorporated into environmental approval conditions issued to mining operators through the National Environment Agency (NEA).
However, she said enforcement remains a challenge, partly because of weaknesses in the existing legislative framework.
“One of the practical challenges is the existing legislative framework,” Manjang said, adding that the penalties available for failure to rehabilitate mining sites had not provided sufficient deterrence.
She said the government is reviewing the National Environment Management Act of 1994, with a new National Environment Management Act Bill expected to be tabled before the National Assembly on 19 October 2026.
The proposed legislation, she said, would strengthen the country’s environmental regulatory and enforcement framework, including provisions for environmental restoration bonds for mining-related activities.
Manjang explained that the bonds would provide a financial guarantee to ensure that funds are available for rehabilitation and increase the financial accountability of operators who fail to meet their obligations.
She also identified illegal mining as another major challenge, saying some areas that had already been rehabilitated were subsequently subjected to further unauthorised extraction.
“These undermine previous rehabilitation efforts and result in additional environmental degradation,” she said.
The minister called for stronger cooperation among the NEA, licensing and enforcement authorities, local government structures, security services and communities to combat illegal mining.
She said communities could play an important role by reporting illegal extraction before extensive environmental damage occurs.
Responding to questions on enforcement under the proposed legislation, Manjang said stronger measures would be introduced, including increased financial consequences to provide greater deterrence.
“People are afraid when their pockets are affected,” she told lawmakers.
Manjang also clarified that sand mining falls under the jurisdiction of the minister responsible for petroleum, while her ministry becomes involved when mining activities have environmental implications, particularly where forests are affected.
She said government institutions were working together to strengthen enforcement against illegal mining and improve environmental protection.