As part of their social and corporate responsibilities, Unity Mining Company is in full swing to rehabilitate the most affected Sand Mining areas in Gunjur, Kombo South for the purpose of Agricultural production.
Speaking to Gunjur News Online, Buba Bojang - General Manager of Unity Sand Mining said the sole aim of this development is to rehabilitate the site so that the women folks as the original occupants can effectively reuse the area for horticultural gardening.
Mr Bojang emphasised that the site will be fully fenced with Baboon wires. According to Mr Bojang, fertilisers will be applied to the land to help germinate the soil that will ease the burden of the women when using it for horticultural purposes. The area being fenced would also help prevent animal intrusion into the area which has been the biggest challenge for the vegetable gardeners in the area.
Mr Bojang also revealed that since the site is totally sandy, his company ordered 10 trips of top soil that will add value to soil nutrients for Agricultural productions. He further emphasised that his company is 100% behind this development as a Gambian owned Company. “We are not only interested in the financial gains but also the utmost interest to contribute to the socio-economic development of the communities where we have our operations, and to complement Government efforts in the National Development Plans.” Mr Bojang added.
The Unity Sand Mining company boss also revealed that his company have also compensated all the women whom at one time used the area for Agricultural activities to make ends meet.
Kebba Saidy(Sita) representing Geology Department at the Mining area applaud Unity Mining Company for the great initiatives, adding that “this is what is expected from a responsible Mining Company, to rehabilitate a Mining site after the mining operations for reuse, that the communities will welcome such developments within their localities.”
Mr Saidy informed this medium that his Department is always keen and ready to monitor all mining operations in the country and would make sure the mining is done in responsible and proper ways to minimise the risk involved. Lamin Boyso Saidy who works at the mining site thanked the Unity Mining Company's Management for this development and further advice other mining companies to emulate Unity Mining Company.
Unity Sand Mining inherited Gunjur Sand Mining site from former Dictator Jammeh's partner Muhammed Basi who left the site without proper management with no benefit to the community.
It could be recalled that that sand mining in Gunjur left devastating effects on the livelihood of the women who used the area for horticultural gardening.