By: Aminata Sesay
The Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Mineral Resources has intervened in a long-running dispute between residents of Moriba Town and the Sierra Rutile mining company. The committee opened a new phase of investigations aimed at resolving allegations ranging from unpaid compensation to the intimidation of community members.
The meeting, held on Thursday, 13 November 2025, was led by the Committee Chairman and Deputy Majority Leader of Government Business 2, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina. Both parties Sierra Rutile and community representatives were brought before Parliament to address grievances that have simmered for over a year.
Hon. Lamina emphasized Parliament’s role in holding mining institutions accountable and ensuring fairness in communities affected by mining operations. He pointed to significant government reforms under President Julius Maada Bio, including a 70% increase in surface rent, as proof of stronger protections for mining-impacted populations.
However, beneath the formalities, there was deep frustration.
Regent Chief Leslie Turker Thomas of Imperri Chiefdom told the Committee that Sierra Rutile had failed to pay the remaining portion of a 4-billion-Leone agreement, claiming that only 2.5 billion Leones had been delivered. He further accused the company of evading surface rent obligations, using police to intimidate locals, and terminating employees without providing due benefits.
In response, Sierra Rutile’s Chief Operating Officer, Kenelm Walta Hughes, argued that the company’s payment obligations had ended in 2024 and maintained that Sierra Rutile had remained compliant with the terms. While acknowledging some outstanding payments, he described them as subject to verification. He clarified that the total disputed amount was 4.168 million Leones, with 1.784 million still outstanding. Hughes also explained that he had withheld approval of some payments pending further investigation into the supporting documents.
With both sides offering conflicting accounts, the Committee decided to initiate a structured inquiry and issued the following directives: a five-member sub-committee will conduct a detailed investigation into the disputed grassland and concession boundaries. Sierra Rutile is required to submit coordinate data and a drone survey report by Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The Committee will consult with the National Minerals Agency before issuing final conclusions. A crop assessor’s report must be presented at the next sitting. Both the company and the community must maintain calm until the next hearing on Wednesday.
With tensions running high and evidence now demanded from both parties, Parliament has shifted the focus from accusations to verification setting the stage for a decisive ruling in the coming days.