For all of you who want to know how this situation evolved, we’ve put together this timeline.
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Dec 2005 |
Agreement between Carnegie Minerals (Gambia) Ltd and the Government of Gambia. Issuing of its mining licence. |
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19th July 2007 |
Official opening ceremony at Sanyang mine site attended by the Vice President of Gambia. |
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26th Oct 2007 |
Charlie joins the company. |
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10th Jan 2008 |
Gambian Government President announces the discovery of strategic minerals such as uranium and silicon in Gambia. |
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15th Jan |
Carnegie receives a letter from the Geological Dept of the Office of the President of Gambia requesting that the company stops operations immediately and provides information. |
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16th Jan |
Carnegie provides information and issues RNS stating that it has complied in full. |
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18th Jan |
Carnegie provides further information. Later it receives a second letter from the Geological Dept demanding more information. |
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21st Jan |
Carnegie responds again and begins withdrawal of staff. |
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24th Jan |
Carnegie completes withdrawal of staff. |
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4th Feb |
Carnegie CEO Alan Hopkins meets the Gambian Attorney-General and Secretary-General for lunch in London. They request the company returns and recommences operations. They provide assurances about the safety of staff who return
|
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8th Feb |
Charlie flies back. |
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12th Feb |
Charlie is arrested and questioned by the police. Carnegie’s licence is revoked. Charlie is detained at the police station. |
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15th Feb |
Gambian Ministers hold press conference to announce that the licence has been revoked and Carnegie’s “MD” arrested. Charlie appears in court and is charged with three counts of “economic crime” and one of theft. He is taken to Mile 2 prison outside Banjul where he is placed in a cell with six others. |
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21st Feb |
Charlie appears in court again for the “start of his trial”. His lawyers request a change in his bail conditions in order to free him. The Government had requested that, in addition to US$250,000 in cash, the bail must include two properties owned by Gambian nationals to a value of US$100,000 each. This is changed to USD 450,000 cash. |
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22nd Feb |
Charlie is released on bail after ten days in jail and following the payment of USD 450,000 in cash. |
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25th March |
Bail Review – Judge reserved decision until March 3rd |
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3rd March |
A further court appearance is held. Charlie’s trial is adjourned to the 17th March. |
