Email Gambia News to a friend
Print version
Comment on This Gambia News

Gambia News : Gambian president says uranium and other metals found

"I am pleased to announce that uranium has been discovered in the Gambia," Jammeh announced on national television, adding that the reserves were "100 percent exploitable."

He also said that new deposits of gold, titanium, silicon and iron had been found, but gave no details of their size or location.

The revelation came two days before the expiry of an ultimatum from Banjul to London-based company Carnegie Mineral, which works sand deposits in Gambia.

Carnegie was ordered to give details by Monday of the quantity and value of the minerals it exports from Gambia or face losing its licence, a presidential statement published on January 16 said.

Four years ago Jammeh said that oil had been found in Gambia, but no production has started, although operating licences were issued in September 2006 to Canadian company Buried Hills Energy.