Gold or Ghost?

By Pateh Bah

Top official within the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources has confirmed to The Inquisitor that certain unscrupulous individuals operating under the name of Sierra Leone Diamond and Gold Brokers Association (SLDGBA) are engaged in activities that may mislead members of the public and prospective investors in the country’s precious minerals sector.

According to the source, the SLDGBA has failed to provide any certificates to demonstrate that it has a qualified gemologist, yet the Association sometimes claims to organise training for diamond and gold evaluators. “How can you certify someone when you are not certified?” the government official queried. 

The government official also disclosed that the Vice Chairman of SLDGBA, Mr David Chris Nze has been pushing very hard to get recognition; however, the source went on, the ministry does not recognise the Association’sactivities as questions continued to be raised about its legal status, mandate and operations.

The source further warned that any attempts to exploit Sierra Leone’s mineral resources sector through deceptive schemes could undermine investor confidence and tarnish the country’s reputation in the international mining community.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources has expressed dismay over the proliferation of individuals, groups and entities claiming to represent brokers and dealers without clear regulatory recognition or oversight, and is calling on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Sierra Leone Police through TOCU to help clamp down 419ers who are engaged in rampant gold scam in the country as they continue to hoodwink the unsuspecting public and investors. The need for stronger monitoring mechanisms and stricter enforcement measures to protect legitimate operators and prevent fraudulent practices within the mineral trade cannot be overemphasised.

When The Inquisitor contacted the Vice Chairman of SLDGBA, Mr David Chris Nze for his side of the story, he stated that he resigned from SLDGBA, but he is now the Chief Administrator of Kono Gold and Diamond Miners Association (KGDMA), and also head of Diamond Centre College.

The Inquisitor remains committed to following developments on this matter and to providing fair, balanced and accurate reporting in the public interest, and also dig more on Kono Gold and Diamond Miners Association and the Diamond Centre College.