As part of activities marking the 13th anniversary of the July 22nd revolution, the Vice President Dr. Isatou Njie Saidy, on behalf of President Jammeh, on Thursday officially opened the Carnegie Minerals Gambia operations (CMG) at a ceremony held at the CMG project site in Sanyang, Kombo South.

In a statement read on his behalf by the vice president, President Jammeh described Carnegie Minerals as a genuine partner in the mining sector. He said that government has issued a mining license to the Carnegie Minerals because of the trust and confidence it has in the company. He asserted that mining and quarrying are important valued added activities that form an important pillar in our drive to create work and support development for the benefit of all.

He observed that the mining sector is an important ingredient in the attainment of Vision 2020. He said that the government is committed to creating an enabling environment for business which was its raison d’etre for the creation of the Gambia Investment Promotion and Free Zone Agency (GIPFZA), and the formulation of an attractive investment scheme.

He recalled that in the colonial era a British mining company, through a local subsidiary company called Gambia Mineral Limited, engaged in the exploitation of our resources only at the expense of Gambians. He therefore encouraged Carnegie Minerals to properly manage the project site for the benefit of the future generation. He assured Carnegie Minerals of the government’s fullest support.

Mr. Alan Hopkins, CEO Carnegie Minerals, thanked the government and people of The Gambia for their encouragement and support. He said the project has been established to extract and process heavy mineral sands containing elminite, zircon and rutile from deposits in Sanyang, Batu Kunku, Brufut and Kartong.

He revealed that the company employs 150 Gambians and has also sunk boreholes and is upgrading all access roads to the site.

Abdoulie Cham, Director of geology, said that good leadership, peace and stability, constitute the fundamental principles in a mining sector.

He also applauded the Gambian leader for his personal drive in the development of the country.

Other speakers included Abdou Badjie, governor of Western Region, and Honourable Paul Mendy, NAM for the area, gave the vote of thanks.

The ceremony was moderated by Kebba Touray, CEO of GIPZA. For their part the company also donated a bull and D5000 to the surrounding villages and a set of football jerseys to the youths of Sanyang.

Attending the ceremony were several dignitaries including members of the diplomatic corps.