By KEMO CHAMMore by this AuthorFREETOWNThe pastor who found Sierra Leone’s giant ‘Peace Diamond’ will not receive the entire proceeds from its sale because he was operating illegally, the government has said. The Director-General of the minerals regulatory agency, Mr Sahr Wonday, said the pastor engaged in mining while his application for a licence was being processed. “They applied for one and the process was ongoing when they took to mining,” Mr Wonday said, adding: “So technically, he did not own the diamond. The diamond belongs to the government of Sierra Leone.”MININGNinety nine per cent of artisanal miners in Sierra Leone operate without licences, according to NMA. NMA says the money from the sale of the giant diamond was kept in the government-owned Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, as the government engaged all stakeholders.

Source: Daily Nation December 18, 2017 14:48 UTC