By: Saidu Jalloh
The Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) has secured a record US$26,225,000 in financial guarantees from 11 mining companies to support mine rehabilitation and environmental restoration efforts across Sierra Leone.
According to the Agency, the amount represents the largest financial guarantee ever secured for environmental compliance and mine rehabilitation in the country’s mining sector.
The EPA stated that the guarantees form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen responsible mining practices and ensure that mining companies restore degraded land after completing mining operations.
The Agency explained that the funds were secured following the implementation of the Mine Rehabilitation Liability Estimator (MRLE), a regulatory framework designed to require mining companies to submit mine closure plans and provide financial assurance for environmental restoration.
In 2024, the EPA organized a two-day workshop at the Shangri-La Hotel in Freetown on the MRLE model and the 2024 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) sector-specific fee regulations. The workshop brought together representatives from large- and small-scale mining companies, EIA consultants, government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Paramount Chiefs.
EPA officials noted that the MRLE framework is intended to ensure that mined-out areas are restored to acceptable ecological conditions and that communities are protected from the long-term effects of unsustainable mining activities.
The Agency further disclosed that Environmental Compliance Assurance Certificates will be issued to companies that meet the required environmental standards. It added that valuation exercises for other mining operators will continue to ensure full compliance across the sector.
The EPA commended companies that have complied with the regulations and urged all mining operators to fully adhere to environmental laws and standards.
The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening enforcement mechanisms, protecting Sierra Leone’s natural resources, and promoting a more responsible and sustainable mining industry.