By: Aminata Sesay
Lawmakers and mining industry leaders have called for greater policy clarity and consistency in Sierra Leone’s mining regulations to improve transparency, boost investor confidence, and foster community development.
The call was made on Thursday during a high-level engagement between Parliament’s Oversight Committee on Mines and Minerals and the Sierra Leone Chamber of Mines, chaired by Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina. The meeting took place in Committee Room 1, Tower Hill.
Vice President of the Chamber, Ibrahim Sorie Kamara, emphasized the need for more predictable and consultative policy processes, explaining that frequent changes in regulations create uncertainty for investors and complicate compliance. He pointed to recent inconsistencies in royalty rates initially set at 2.5 percent, later revised to 3.1 percent, and finally fixed at 2.1 percent as an example of the challenges companies face when policy frameworks change without adequate consultation.
“The Chamber remains committed to constructive engagement with government institutions,” Kamara said. “However, for reforms to succeed, we need coherence and transparency throughout the entire mining governance chain.”
In his response, Hon. Lamina reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to promoting accountability and inclusive development within the mining sector. He emphasized that effective regulation must strike a balance between protecting investor interests and safeguarding the rights of host communities, as well as aligning with national priorities.
Hon. Lamina also highlighted key reforms introduced under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration. These include a 70 percent increase in surface rent to landowners, the establishment of the Mining District Development Fund, and the requirement for lease agreements prior to issuing licenses—all aimed at ensuring that mining communities benefit directly from the country’s natural resource wealth.
He further stressed the importance of modernizing Sierra Leone’s mining laws, noting that outdated provisions must be replaced with more responsive, forward-looking frameworks. “Policy clarity is not just an investor demand it’s a national necessity,” Hon. Lamina stated. “Our goal is to create a transparent and stable mining environment that ensures fairness, community benefits, and sustainable national growth.”
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment from both Parliament and the Chamber of Mines to deepen dialogue and strengthen regulatory coherence within the sector.