By Saskia Warrick
February 1, 2025
The Ministry of Natural Resources will intensify its land reclamation efforts and enhance monitoring in mining districts to curb environmental infractions.
Minister Vickram Bharrat made the announcement while detailing his ministry’s budgetary allocations in the Committee of Supply on Friday.
This year, an additional $300 million has been allocated for land reclamation and restoration, following a similar investment last year.
Minister Bharrat highlighted the successful restoration of 30 acres in Wismar, Linden, where over 2,000 seedlings have been planted.
He noted that more than 100 temporary and permanent jobs were created, and reclamation expenses—typically ranging between $15 to $20 million per acre—have been reduced to under $10 million.
This year, land reclamation projects will continue in Region 10 and expand to Region 8.
To strengthen monitoring, the ministry plans to integrate advanced technology to improve oversight of mining activities across remote interior regions.
On Friday, the Committee of Supply approved $3.6 billion for the Ministry of Natural Resources, supporting ongoing projects and initiatives aimed at sustainable mining and environmental conservation.