Despite its contributions to the development of the country, the mining sector in Sierra Leone, has been attributed to a multitude of impacts on the environment. This article focuses on assessing the environmental impacts of mining in mining edge communities in Sierra Leone. A survey of 360 people from three mining edge communities (Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL), Bonthe district; Octea Mining Company (OMC), Kono district and Sierra Leone Mining Company (SLM), Port Loko district) was conducted. Key informant interviews, focus groups, and secondary data sources - Government policies and regulatory documents, government’s Mines Department annual reports-provided data for this article. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System with a mean separation done at α = 0.05 (SAS version 9.4). As a result of mining operations, the rates of deforestation, land degradation and destruction of farmlands, inadequate availability of clean water, poor air quality and noise pollution were the main impacts exacerbated by rutile, iron ore and diamond mining. Strategies as recommended by the local communities to be put in place, to restore ecological function in the mining edge communities include, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Mines and Mineral Agency, and other responsible authorities addressing weakness in mining and environmental policies, thereby strengthening enforcement and monitoring regulations relating to mining operations; and companies embarking on rehabilitation, reclamation, and restoration measures to ensure environmental sustainability.

Sweet potato Weevil (Cylas puncticollis) Boheman Infestation: Cultivar Differences and the Effects of Mulching

Resource-limited tropical countries are home to numerous infectious pathogens of both human and zoonotic origin. A capability for early detection to allow rapid outbreak containment and prevent spread to non-endemic regions is severely impaired by inadequate diagnostic laboratory capacity, the absence of a “cold chain” and the lack of highly trained personnel. Building up detection capacity in these countries by direct replication of the systems existing in developed countries is not a feasible approach and instead requires “leapfrogging” to the deployment of the newest diagnostic systems that do not have the infrastructure requirements of systems used in developed countries.

Reports of damage by grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) to cassava and other crops has increased in recent years. The attack on cassava is particularly threatening to the livelihood of many poor subsistence farmers in Sierra Leone. As such, an evaluation was conducted to investigate the use of host plant resistance as an alternative method of managing grasshopper rather than the sole reliance on chemicals. The experiment was laid out in a randomized co mplete block design with three rep lications. Two b locks were used (protected and unprotected) with twenty cassava varieties (Slicass 1 05-21, VT 05-02, Slicass 2, SN 05-22, Slicass 1 05-14, Slicass 2 05-17, Slicass 5, VT 05-07, SN 05-41, Slicass 1 05-05, 97/ 3202-05-04, Slicass 4, Slicass 1 05-42, SN 05-17, Slicass 1, Local, 97/ 0057-05-04, Slicass 6, 97/0057-05-01 and Slicass 2 05-13) in each block. Pest assessments was done at 3, 6, 9 and 12 Months After Planting (MAP) which co incides with the various seasons; rain, dry and dry-rainy transition periods. Significant differences were recorded in percentage incidence and severity score with respect to cassava variety and time of observation. While seven cassava varieties (Slicass 5, VT05-02, Slicass 4, 97/0057-05-04, 97/0057-05-01, slicass 6 and Slicass 1 05-21) were found to be less susceptible to Z. variegatus (L.), four varieties (Slicass 2 05-17, Slicass1 05-41, Slicass 2 05-13 and 97/005-05-04) out yielded (in terms of tuber weight and nu mber) the released varieties during the two cropping seasons. Percent incidence and severity score was relatively high at 6MAP and 9MAP. Overall, tuber weight and number were higher in the protected plot compared to the unprotected plot during the two cropping seasons. Hence, protecting cassava field fro m grasshopper infestation may increase yield, number o f tubers and invariably the production of good quality planting material that is resistance to grasshopper attack.