The
following minerals have been identified in The Gambia
following some mineral exploration programmes conducted
with the lead participation of the Geological Department.
The Government continues to monitor research findings on
the possibility for more mineral deposits, especially
those with higher marketing value whilst staying
mindful of conservation and environmental preservation
issues. There are known deposits of:
a) Quartz Sand
Large reserves of quartz (silica)
sand, suitable for glass manufacture, have been identified
in the Greater Banjul Area, notably in Abuko, Brufut,
Darsilami (Western Division); Mbankam and Bakendik (North
Bank Division); and Kaiaf, (Lower River Division). The
Government continues to seek interested investors to
exploit these deposits
b) Heavy Mineral Beach
Sand Deposits
The raised beach sand,
which is characteristic of The Gambia's coastal beaches,
contain ilmenite, rutile, and zircon. The deposits were
briefly mined in the past and recently the Government is
keen in attracting interested investors in exploiting the
deposits.
The estimated reserves of
recoverable minerals yield a conservative total of about
995,000 tonnes at a 1% cut-off grade. Further
investigations will be conducted to update the reserve
base of these minerals.
Other
minerals discovered in The Gambia, and on which
significant research and development efforts are being
concentrated to increase their economic and reserve value
include:-
c) Hydro
Carbon Potential
The Gambia
depends on imported petroleum products. The government
recognises the critical need for secure and stable supply
of petroleum products and the need to stabilise prices to
avoid induced inflation. The government therefore welcomes
potential investors and collaborators in improving storage.
In regards to petroleum prospects (hydro carbon potential),
The Gambia has promising prospects and the government is
relentlessly collecting, updating and storing the relevant
seismic data and marketing the prospects to interested oil
companies and businesses. The government is
committed to continue this marketing in the hope of
attracting prospectors.
d) Liquefied Petroleum
Gas (LPG)
All liquefied petroleum gas
in The Gambia is imported overland from Senegal. LPG is
mostly used for domestic purposes and on a limited scale
for industrial purposes. Transaction costs in importing
and bottling gas have resulted in large price
differentials between Senegal and The Gambia. This makes
gas unaffordable to most Gambians, and hence constituting
a severe limitation on the promotion of the use of LPG.
The government is therefore committed to seek partners
in establishing gas plants or bulk storage
facilities to promote its use for domestic and industrial.
Another justification of the government's commitment in
this area is the environmental preservation potential of
LPG in place of fuel wood.
