By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
As the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources set to implement new Act, Umaru Napoleon, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources on Monday 25th September 2023 in an interview reiterated that every Sierra Leonean would benefit from the Mineral Resources of the country.
The Deputy Minister of Mines recalled that the last administration reviewed the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009 which was renamed as Mines, Minerals, and Development Act. “We called it the Mines, mineral and Development Act because we actually believe that we need to use the minerals in this country to develop the country. Applauding Sierra Leone Parliament for passing the Act, Napoleon also called to mind that the administration also developed the National Mineral Development Operations Act which he said geared towards creating wealth to develop Sierra Leone.
Umaru Napoleon intimated that in their last administration, they had been working immensely on expanding the mining sector, transforming it to a large scale. Napoleon stated that some of the mining companies that had been in operation, including Marampa Mines, Leone Rock, Koidu Holdings, etc. and assured to bring back Shandong Mining Company which he said was closed in the last administration.
The Mines Deputy Minister revealed that they had over 26 large scale mining companies that the government had given licenses over the years and went on clarifying that not all of them had come into full operations as he said others were still developing their mines. “FG Gold had done further studies, drilling further and now they are about establishing one of the biggest gold mines in the sub region,” he said.
The Mines Deputy Minister explained that the process of developing mines is a time taken, as the professionals would have to develop places, build workers, the infrastructures around and also determine the life span of that particular mining company. The Deputy Minister however assured that the Ministry and the National Mineral Agency would ensure that those companies implement the new policies developed, monitor their operations and ensure that the country benefits from its resources.
Umaru Napoleon expressed that they had both Sierra Leonean Companies and Foreign Companies in the Mining Sector but assured that they would effectively monitor those companies devoid of race or political affiliations. He assured that they would go by the acts and the Presidents vision to deliver for Sierra Leone. He affirms that they would only hold a company’s license when that company refuses to go by the law and within their scope of operations or failed to comply after being warned. Napoleon further assured to implement on the spot monitoring system as an effective means of inspecting company’s operations.
Umaru Napoleaon assured that the new Ministers in the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources would ensure that they speak with the minds of Sierra Leoneans by ensuring that mining companies operating in the country are in full compliance with the laws. “We would also ensure that the full potentials are being realized and the people are able to benefit from the mineral resources in Sierra Leone,” he assured.