By: PROBLYN J. ALPHA
After four years of exploration in Sandor Chiefdom the Pan Africa metal Rare Mining Company Kono District has been officially commissioned to carry out large scale mining of Colton for a minimum of twenty five years after going through the necessary procedure of the mines and minerals laws of Sierra Leone.
It could be recalled that, in 2018 the government of Sierra Leone gave an exploration license to the aforesaid mining company to embark on exploration process which lasted for four years in Sandor Chiefdom Kono District. The commissioning ceremony which attracted the presence of the first gentle man of Sandor Chiefdom Hon. Paramount Chief Sheku Ahmed Tejan Sonsiama Fasuluku, the Chairman Mines and minerals resources in the well of parliament Hon. Sahr Emmerson lamina, Hon. Francis Bendu, Regional manager National minerals Agency Kai Lebbie, security personnel
Among other stakeholder was held in Yengema town Sandor Chiefdom, Kono District.
When making his opening remarks the chairman of the occasion who also double as the chairman parliamentary committee on mines and minerals resources Hon. Saa Emerson lamina intimated the audience that the commissioning of the pan African metal rare mining company was important, because it marked a historic event to have the first mining company in the district on large scale mining of coltan noting that, the above named mining company has made great history in their time and thanked the leadership of president Bio for giving a mining license to the Pan African rare metal mining company to Mine Coltan in the district. He maintained that Coltan mineral is very important as it is used to manufacture phones, computers, plains and many other important technological products in the world
He further intimated the audience that Pan African rare metal mining company has paid one billion Leone as surface rent few months ago adding that by the time they would have calculated the community development agreement funds (CDAF) one percent of 17 will have the potential to change the chiefdom within three years “Hon. Emerson Lamina stated.
He further explained that the company has fulfilled most of its obligations thereby, qualifying it to have license from the government of Sierra Leone. He said the company has paid five hundred dollars for all its licenses
Talking about the importance of minerals in the country, Hon. Emerson lamina noted that section seven of the constitution of Sierra Leone states that, if the citizens are able to earnest all the minerals in the country including Coltan, the economy of the country will be stronger.
In his statement, the Regional Manger National Minerals Agency (NMA) Kai Lebbie maintained that the agency was set up in 2013 by the mining sector, and ensure that the people of Sierra Leone benefit from their God giving minerals, adding that the agency is responsible to give licenses to mining companies and to ensure that the companies comply with government‘s regulations. He added Pan African metal rare mining company is the first company the agency has given
License to mine a large scale of Coltan which they have described as the ‘new kid on the rock” Mr. Lebbie therefore encouraged the people in Yengema Sandor not to engage in any illegal mining activities in the concession of the Pan Africa rare metal mining company to give peace a chance, because it has been legally given to the company.
Hon. Francis Bendu in whose constituency the company falls, when making a statement, said the security of the company is in the hands of the people and the interest of the people is also in the hands of the company and therefore they should serve each other’s interest. He also pleaded with the company’s management to incorporate into their activities what he called transfer of Skills. Speaking on behalf of his people, the Paramount Chief of Sandor Chiefdom PC Sheku Ahmed Tejan Sonsiama Fasuluku warmly welcomed the CEO of the aforesaid company Fasalie Tarawaly and the rest of the company’s workers in his chiefdom and wish them a happy stay.
PC Fasuluku pleaded with the company to put up permanent structures that generations yet unborn will benefit from. He however beseeched his people to forget about the misunderstanding that occurred between the company workers and them when the company was on exploration “I believe change will happen this time round.
On his part, the chairman and CEO of the Pan African rare metal mining company Fasalie Tarawaly noted that he has gathered a lot of concerns from the people since the exploration time to the commissioning of the company adding that Plans are afoot to address some of them and that, the reasons why they did not address most of the concerns at that time was that they had limited time and it would have been detrimental to the company if they would have tried to address the concerns.
He said now that the company has started full operations in the chiefdom with the help and cooperation of the people of Yengema the company would be of great importance to all and sundry Mr. Tarawally Stated.