Minerals Advisory Board

The Minerals Advisory Board (MAB) was established by the Mines and Minerals Decree of 1994 as an inter-ministerial committee.

Organisation
According to the Mines and Minerals Act (2009) the MAB is composed of 16 members:


 * the Chairman (appointed by the President)
 * the Secretary (Director of Mines)
 * the Director of the Geological Survey Division
 * the Commissioner-General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA)
 * a Representative of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice
 * a "Representative of the Ministry responsible for local government"
 * a Representative of the Environmental Protection Agency
 * the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources
 * Two qualified and experienced persons usually from the mining industry
 * a Representative from civil society
 * a Representative from the Youth Commission
 * a Paramount Chief nominated by the Council of Paramount Chiefs
 * an Inspector General of the Police
 * the Chief of Defence Staff

Current office holders
Chair of the MAB: Mr. Raymond Moshe-Roberts (as of August 2012)

Secretary: Jonathan A. Sharkah (as of October 2013)

Director of the Geological Survey Division: Ms Agatha John (as of October 2013)

Commissioner-General of National Revenue Authority (NRA): Ms. Haja Kallah Kamara

Permanent Secretary of Ministry: Mrs. Fatmata S. Mustapha

=Responsiblities=

According to the Mines and Minerals Decree of 1994, the functions of the MAB include:


 * advising the Secretary of State on matters relating to minerals
 * formulating recommendations on minerals policy
 * monitoring the implementation of policy
 * securing a firm basis for data collection on national mineral resources
 * assessing proposed ‘major agreements’ relating to minerals

With respect to licensing, the Mines and Minerals Act (2009) expands the role of the MAB to include:
 * advising the Minister of Mineral Resources on the granting, renewing, suspending, transferring and cancelling of licences
 * certifying mineral rights applications

But the functions of the MAB may be in need of review since, according to Fanthorpe and Gabelle, the statuory functions of the MAB and the National Minerals Agency, with exception of the MAB's mandate to assess licence applications, are the same.

=External links=

Mines and Minerals Act 2009: Conduct of the Minerals Advisory Board

=References=