By: Mamajah Jalloh
The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has assured workers affected by the ongoing restructuring at Marampa Mines Limited that the Government will ensure their rights and entitlements are protected in accordance with the Employment Act, 2023.
The assurance was given on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during an engagement with the company’s management and workers at its premises in Lunsar, Port Loko District. The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry, the National Minerals Agency (NMA), Marampa Mines management, trade union representatives and employees to discuss the ongoing restructuring and its implications for the workforce.
In his remarks, Minister Koroma thanked the company for facilitating the engagement, describing it as his first visit outside Freetown to address workers’ issues since assuming office.
He acknowledged the difficult circumstances confronting employees, noting that developments in the global economy had placed significant pressure on businesses and contributed to the challenges facing the company.
The Minister explained that the Employment Act, 2023, contains provisions governing redundancy in anticipation of situations where businesses may be compelled to restructure their operations. He emphasised that the Ministry has a responsibility to ensure that relations between employers and employees are managed in accordance with the law.
He disclosed that he had instructed his staff to closely monitor the process and ensure that the rights and interests of affected workers were protected. He also commended employees for maintaining calm and demonstrating patience amid the uncertainty.
Minister Koroma further revealed that Marampa Mines had assured him that all outstanding matters relating to the restructuring would be addressed by the end of November, in accordance with the law. He assured workers that the Ministry would continue to monitor the process to ensure that the company honoured its commitments and paid affected employees their rightful entitlements.
Describing Marampa Mines as an important national asset belonging to Sierra Leoneans, the Minister encouraged workers to remain hopeful and patient. He also noted that some affected employees could have opportunities to return when operations resume.
Welcoming the Minister and his delegation, the Chief Executive Officer of Marampa Mines Holding, Paul Lombard, expressed appreciation for the visit, particularly at a challenging time for the company and its workforce.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to restarting operations as a stronger and more sustainable business, highlighting improvements achieved under the Marampa Reset Programme in production performance, plant recovery and operational discipline.
Lombard explained that rising international freight rates, increased fuel costs and unfavourable conditions in the global iron ore market had placed considerable pressure on the business. He said these challenges had necessitated restructuring measures aimed at reducing operating costs and establishing a more competitive foundation for future operations.
He further disclosed that the restructuring process began with expatriate positions to achieve a better balance between expatriate and national employees. He added that future operations would prioritize the career progression of Sierra Leoneans, skills transfer and leadership development to create more opportunities for nationals.
The CEO also commended workers for remaining calm and constructive throughout the process, assuring them of the company’s commitment to fairness, transparency and continued engagement.
Speaking on behalf of the workers’ union, Mohamed Kabia thanked the Minister and his delegation for visiting and engaging with employees during what he described as a difficult period.
Representing the National Minerals Agency, Ibrahim Sattie Kamara apologized for the absence of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, assuring the gathering that the Minister fully supported the engagement.
He commended workers for maintaining calm, noting that the situation was a concern to all stakeholders, particularly the Government, given the importance of the mining sector to the national economy.
Kamara acknowledged the Government’s efforts to prevent the situation from reaching its current stage but explained that some of the challenges highlighted by the company were beyond its control. He assured workers that the relevant authorities would continue working with the company and its partners, expressing optimism that the current difficulties did not mark the end of Marampa Mines’ operations.
During the engagement, workers also appealed to management to ensure that employees recruited in the future receive fair treatment and are provided with opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the company’s development.
The engagement underscored the commitment of the Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, the National Minerals Agency and Marampa Mines management to continued collaboration in ensuring that the restructuring process is conducted fairly, transparently and in accordance with the Employment Act, 2023, while safeguarding the interests of affected workers.