The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, has signed a landmark mining license agreement with Norwegian-Gambian Mining Company, a subsidiary of the European Eco Minerals (EEM), to explore deep-sea mining opportunities that may be available within jurisdiction.
The signing is poised to be historic if at all the prospective expectations turn out to be reality.
Bordered by Senegal – which has begun drilling oil in its first offshore fields in Sangomar (100 kilometres south of Dakar) and become an oil and gas producing nation last year (2024) – on all sides except the Atlantic, The Gambia is described as a country highly likely of having such resources.
Meanwhile, the agreement follows rigorous administrative and due diligence process to explore deep-sea mining opportunities, according to a press statement by the Petroleum Ministry.
“This collaboration marks a significant step in unlocking The Gambia’s potential in deep-sea mining while ensuring environmental sustainability through cutting-edge, eco-friendly technology,” it states, adding: “Under the agreement, NGMC will conduct an extensive survey of The Gambia’s seabed at no risk or financial commitment from The Gambia Government.
“As part of the exploration phase, NGMC will deploy two specialized survey vessels to map and analyze the seabed for mining opportunities. These vessels will utilize state-of-the-art technology. This initiative represents a major milestone in The Gambia’s efforts to diversify its economy.”
Concluding, the statement notes that a key highlight of this project is the use of EEM’s proprietary and patented deep-sea mining technology, designed to minimize environmental impact, which aligns with The Gambia’s commitment to sustainable development and responsible resource management.
