Swamp Nayeh, that was once used for rice farming, now converted to an artificial dam
By: Madina Kula Sheriff, Patrick Yatta Conteh, and Esther Kadie Tarawally
The community of Higima Village in Imperri Chiefdom, Bonthe District, Southern Sierra Leone, is accusing Sierra Rutile Limited, the world’s largest natural rutile producer, of destroying their farmlands, polluting their water sources, and causing widespread displacement through its mining operations.
The people say the mining company’s artificial dams and quarry activities have left their village uninhabitable and stripped them of their livelihoods as farmers.
“The closest artificial dam erected by Sierra Rutile is just a five-minute walk from our homes. They have not only taken away our farmlands but also our village,” says Mohamed Dauda, a villager in Higima. He explains that the dam was built on fertile land and streams that once sustained farming, including the Swamp Nayeh and Benin stream.
Swamp Nayeh, that was once used for rice farming, now converted to an artificial dam.
Mr. Dauda says the community has suffered environmental hazards since 1990. He claims that they are disturbed by dust during the dry season, while underground vibrations from mining sites cause houses to collapse. Despite years of voicing their concerns, the community says request for relocation has gone unanswered.
Many say the loss of farmland has pushed families into poverty.
“There are nights my kids and I go to bed on an empty stomach,” says Fatmata Pyea, a widow and a vegetable farmer. “Our farmlands have been converted into dams filled with water not even suitable for domestic chores. “I have to beg for farmland in another village just to feed my children.”
Others say they face homelessness. Idrissa Lebbie, whose thatched house collapsed due to water from the artificial dam that slowly leaked through soil and weakened the foundation of his house, is currently squatting with a friend.
“After my house collapsed, I was left with no option but to squat with a neighbor, a situation that has made life very uncomfortable for me and my family. The underground water that slowly leaked through the soil from the dam erected by Sierra Rutile is responsible for the collapse of my house” says Lebbie.
Sierra Leone’s Mines and Minerals Development Act 2022 makes environmental protection, rehabilitation, and land reclamation mandatory obligations for mining companies. A 2002 agreement between the government and Sierra Rutile Limited also requires land rehabilitation. But the Villagers argue that implementation remains weak.
Dauda Gollia works for NAMATI, an International Non-Governmental Organization that advances social and environmental justice. He is also a native of Imperri Chiefdom. He says part of the work NAMATI has been doing over the years is to support communities affected by large scale mining and agribusiness projects, and to use laws to demand fair lease agreements and address environmental harms.
He says most of the rehabilitation done by Sierra Rutile Ltd is superficial, leading to stunted or dead trees. “They are not using organic manure to plant the trees, that is why the trees are not growing properly. In some areas they will just leave sand which is the by-product of the rutile” Mr Gollia adds.
Trees planted by Sierra Rutile Ltd, as part of their reclamation obligations
He adds that the relocated areas are often not properly done and the land provided is insufficient. “My first cousin’s village was relocated, but the new site cannot support farming or even backyard gardens,” he recalls.
People from other affected villages echoed d similar frustrations. In Foinda, one of the relocated villages, community leader Thomas Pujeh says the damage caused by mining is long-term.
“The land cannot be fixed even in 20 years. Lands spanning seven to eight miles have been left bare, turning into artificial deserts,” Mr. Pujeh says.
An artificial desert that was once farmland. San is a by-product of rutile mining.
Pujeh also describes artificial ponds and dams created by mining as “death traps,” with people drowning in them. He claims that relocated lands are smaller than original farmlands, forcing many farmers to rent land elsewhere.
In Nyadehun Village, a farmer Baimba Kamara recounts how overflowing dam water claimed his toddler’s life. “The water was running next to my veranda, and my child accidentally crawled into it and drowned,” he says.
Another villager Fatu Gassimo says the situation has worsened household poverty. “Now we have to buy cassava that we once cultivated at exorbitant prices,” she says, calling on the government to intervene.
Mr. Gollia urged Sierra Rutile to prioritize conservation over “haphazard rehabilitation,” pointing to carbon credit opportunities and biodiversity restoration as alternatives.
The Environment Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring and assessing the environmental and social impacts of mining operations, as well as the benefits they bring. Its Director of Natural Resources Paul Lamin, says while reclamation is mandatory, it cannot be carried out in areas still under active mining.
He acknowledges that legacy dams remain unresolved issues but maintains that the EPA has engaged Sierra Rutile on reclamation obligations, including requiring the company to submit bonds. “Currently fines exist for pollution caused by companies, and for the dams we have recommended that Sierra Rutile close their existing pits to prevent further harm,” Mr. Lamin says.
This publication contacted Sierra Rutile Limited with the allegations in this investigation. The company did not respond.
For now, Higima and surrounding communities continue to grapple with the impacts of mining, raising broader questions about accountability, compliance, and whether Sierra Leone’s mining industry can balance economic contributions with the rights and welfare of its host communities.
This investigation was supported by BBC Media Action and funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-funded by the European Union (EU).
An artificial desert that was once farmland. San is a by-product of rutile mining.