Royal Timbers applies to log...

district three of the Mazaruni Mining District and the entire area has been allocated for varied mining claims.

Despite a decline in the forests due to mining in the concession area by 15%, Royal Timbers said they will be able to salvage timber from trees felled and set aside areas to facilitate mining activities. It stated that gold mining activities have contributed to some deforestation.

“There has been a history of mining in the area since the late 1920’s with a particular surge in small scale mining in the past 30 years… About 2,500 persons occupy the concession area: these comprise artisanal, small and medium scale miners as well as merchants trading mainly in fuel and rations,” the company noted in its project summary to the EPA.

It is estimated by the company that they will harvest 17,567.52 M3 of timber from 21 blocks per year.

The company will harvest lumber from a wide range of species using the principles of reduced impact logging. The species include Bulletwood, Crabwood, Greenheart, Huruasa, Kabukalli, Limonaballi, Locust, Manni, Monkey Pot, Mora, Morabukea, Purpleheart, Shibadan, Simarupa, Tatabu, Tauroniro, Tonka-bean, Wamaa, Washiba and Yellow Silverballi.

The company says that from previous projects and work they have gained significant operational experience in working in the hinterland.

Since the project can have various environmental implications, the EPA said that in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20: 05, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required for the development of the proposed project before any decision to either reject or approve it can be made.

As a result, members of the public are invited to make written submissions to the EPA setting out questions and matters they would like to see addressed in the EIA.

A summary of the project can also be viewed on the EPA’s website or uplifted from the Office in Ganges Street, Sophia.