Overview

Field investigations were conducted by CEMMATS within the study area and its immediate environs to obtain relevant data. The study included the following:

• CEMMATS addressed the local community and chiefdom authorities in order to explain the purpose and objectives of the study;
• Questionnaires were administered to residents in the villages within the study area to obtain data on several issues including water supply and quality, sanitation, socio-economic and socio-cultural issues;
• Noise level measurements were taken; and
• A field laboratory was set up for instant testing of water samples.
  

A final draft of the Environmental Baseline Report was received on 29 January 2005. Descriptions of the location, access, infrastructure and social issues given below were drawn from the Baseline Audit Report.

The main issues that emerged during CEMMATS' baseline study were:

• The project area comprises six settlements, namely: Kpandebu, Palima, Mavehun Tokpombu, Sandeyeima and Tongola. All are located and influenced by mining activities within the project area. A total of 680 households (4,555 people) occupy 250 houses within the licence area. Of these, 250 heads of households representing 2,041 people were interviewed by CEMMATS during the social survey.
• Artisanal mining is the main economic activity of a majority of the active male population in the area. During the survey, it was found that the main occupation of 38% of the household heads was mining, followed by 32% engaged in farming and 22% in business activities such as trading.
• Limited accessibility due to poor condition of roads between Tongo and Kenema and Tongo and Koidu;
• The airstrip requires rehabilitation;
• No telephone or postal services exist. Cellphone communication was introduced in October 2005;
• Public water supply infrastructure does not exist within the area. Water for domestic and other uses is obtained from shallow wells. Faecal-indicator bacteria were discovered in all the wells tested, in different proportions.
• There is no source of main power supply in Tongo. Small diesel driven generators supply power to the more affluent households;
• There are no hospital facilities. Only one community heath centre is in operation;

One of the most significant challenges ahead is the issue of the rights of artisanal miners. CEMMATs was asked to compile a register of all legal artisanal mining licences, the locations, owners, and date of issue and expiry of the licences. This register was included in the final draft of the Baseline Audit Report

CEMMATS held a focused group discussion with various stakeholders in the alluvial diamond mining industry in the area to inform them of the proposed exploration activities and obtain their views especially with respect to the artisanal alluvial operations. The meeting was attended by 57 stakeholders comprising miners, Diamond Dealers, Chiefs, Licence Holders, Bush Owners, Representatives of Peace Diamond Alliance, Mines Monitoring Officers and Mine Wardens.

In general, stakeholders were happy about the proposed exploration work and in particular they looked forward to the repair of the road between Tongo and Koidu. They viewed this development as a means of promoting trade with other chiefdoms in the Kono and Kenema Districts, and hence possibility of greater economic benefits.

Notwithstanding the above, the stakeholders also expect certain direct economic benefits such as employment, increased trading activities, better road infrastructure, better social and economic amenities such as health, education, micro-credit, housing and availability of good drinking water.

The stakeholders expressed the following concerns:

• Uncertainties about the fate of alluvial diamond mining licence holders whose land falls within the licence area;
• Benefits to land owners whose land falls within the licence area;
• Population influx;
• Relocation and its disturbances;
• Whether their land will ever be returned to them in a form suitable for agriculture.