By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
In a landmark ceremony held in Lunsar Town, located in Sierra Leone’s North-Western region, Ambassador Tamba Lamina, the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, made a strong call for greater transparency in the management of funds allocated to mining communities. The funds are meant to directly benefit the residents who often bear the repercussions of mining activities in their areas. Lamina urged mining companies, local stakeholders, and youth-led groups involved in mining to implement stronger oversight mechanisms and ensure that funds are managed in a transparent and accountable manner.
The Minister’s call came during a consultative meeting that brought together paramount chiefs, youth leaders, women representatives, mining companies, and other stakeholders. The aim of the meeting was to review proposals for a new framework governing the distribution and management of community development funds in mining areas.
Minister Lamina informed attendees that the discussions were part of broader efforts to align community development initiatives with President Julius Maada Bio’s national development agenda. He revealed that previous engagements with the Ministries of Mines and Mineral Resources, as well as Planning and Economic Development, had paved the way for the implementation of the 2023 Minerals Development Act, which replaced the outdated 1930 Mining Policy. The new law mandates mining companies to contribute 1% of their profits to the communities where their operations take place.
“Since the law was passed, companies have complied, and we have seen visible progress through a series of projects across chiefdoms,” Ambassador Lamina said. “However, there must be transparency and accountability. This is why President Bio directed us to develop a structure that ensures this 1% truly benefits the lives of ordinary people.”
He cautioned that without clear communication and proper oversight, misunderstandings could arise over how these funds are being managed. The government’s goal, he explained, is to establish a system that strengthens collaboration between national authorities, chiefdom leaders, and communities, while educating residents on how the funds are being used.
On behalf of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources (MMMR), Deputy Secretary Alusine A. Josque praised the Minister’s efforts, assuring attendees that the newly passed mining law would indeed benefit local communities. Josque presented a proposal titled “Framework for the Implementation of Community Development and Mining Districts Development Funds.” He emphasized that the proposal was the result of joint input from the Ministries of Local Government, Mines and Mineral Resources, Planning and Economic Development, and mining companies. “Every mining community and its residents must benefit from the resources extracted from their land. This is not business as usual,” he stated.
A representative from one of the mining companies also spoke at the event, assuring community leaders and residents of the significance of the funds. He confirmed that the final framework would reflect the aspirations of all stakeholders before being submitted as a formal cabinet paper. “The final framework will benefit every local mining community and its residents across Sierra Leone,” he said.
The meeting was not only about technical frameworks but also about listening to local voices. A local youth leader expressed optimism about the new Mining Act, highlighting the importance of prioritizing the needs of young people in mining areas. “For too long, we have seen mining in our land without much to show in terms of development,” he said. “If this framework is to succeed, young people and women must be part of the process.”
The youth leader emphasized the need for mining companies to invest in schools, clinics, and skills training facilities for young people, as they are the ones whose land and resources are being exploited by foreign companies. He also urged the government to prioritize the interests of citizens who are directly affected by the negative impacts of mining operations.
Community stakeholders, including local leaders and company representatives, expressed strong support for the initiative. There was a general sense of optimism that the framework would usher in a new era of development and transformation, not only in Lunsar but also in other mining communities across Sierra Leone.