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Momodou
Denmark
11681 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Feb 2008 : 16:46:13
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Gov’t Accuses Carnegie Minerals Of Deception
By Saikou Ceesay
The Government of the Gambia has accused Carnegie Minerals, a mining company based in Australia, of deception. Addressing the press at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel yesterday afternoon, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Crispin Grey Johnson, said the company had signed an agreement with the government which encompasses the mining of only ilmenite, rutile and another mineral. But the company went on, contrary to the agreement, to mine other minerals, including iron ore, titanium and traces of uranium. The Secretary of State indicated how they had repeatedly asked the company to tell them the truth about the kind and quantity of minerals they were actually mining in the Gambia, but they always gave them misleading information. They then opted to conduct three independent laboratory tests of samples outside the country, noting that the laboratory results revealed that the samples contained iron, titanium and small quantities of uranium. He said at this stage they gave the company the opportunity to come clean but they again came up with misleading information. This led to the revocation of their licence.
SoS Crispin Grey Johnson said that the company has, to date, exported more than 20,000 metric tonnes of ilmenite to Australia and some of which went to China. According to the SoS thE Carnegie Minerals paid a fee of $50 US dollar per tonne to the government. “The magnitude of ilmenite exported in the first quarter of last year was 720 metric tonnes,” said SoS Crispin Grey Johnson. He said it is a fact that they ‘misled the Gambia.’ He told reporters that the police have started investigation on the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Charles Northfield, who is a British National. The Managing Director of the company is currently in custody.
The Secretary of State indicated that the intention of the government is to take the matter before the courts as soon as possible. He described the incident as unfortunate. He said in 2005, the company was found guilty of market manipulation in Australia.
In response to a question asked by the British High Commissioner, Phil Sinkinson, the Attorney General, Marie Saine Firdaus assured him that Mr. Charles Northfield, the managing director will not be used as a scape goat. But she emphasized that he is key in their investigations. She cautioned that they would not divulge information that will tamper their investigation.
The conference was attended by SoS Neneh Macdouall Gaye SoS for Communication and Information Technology and members of the diplomatic and consular corps.
Efforts to get the opinion of the company have not yet been successful.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No 20/2008, 15 – 17 February 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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