By: Audrey Raymonda John
Residents of Simiria Chiefdom in Tonkolili District have unanimously endorsed Berkeley Investments to undertake large-scale mining operations in the area, intensifying calls on the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Mineral Agency (NMA) to grant the company a mining licence.
The endorsement followed a four-day community engagement tour conducted by representatives of Berkeley Investments, which included the donation of assorted food items and condiments to mark the Easter and Sierra Leone Independence Day celebrations.
The outreach covered six major villages across the chiefdom and attracted a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including youth leaders, chairladies, councillors, section chiefs, and local mining coordinators.
During a series of public meetings, community representatives collectively expressed strong support for the company, citing longstanding concerns about the failure of previous mining operators to meet their corporate social responsibilities—particularly in job creation, infrastructure development, and community welfare.
Residents noted that past mining activities have yielded limited sustainable development benefits for the chiefdom. However, they commended Berkeley Investments for its proactive engagement and visible contributions, despite not yet securing a mining licence.
“For the first time, we are seeing a company that has not even been granted a licence, yet is already providing free internet services, constructing roads, and supporting our people during festive periods,” several community representatives stated.
The residents expressed optimism that granting the company a licence would lead to meaningful development, increased employment opportunities, and improved living standards across the chiefdom.
Providing insight into the company’s long-term plans, Administrative Manager Porseh Mama Fornah revealed that 60 percent of the company’s top management staff are indigenes of Simiria Chiefdom, demonstrating its commitment to local content and inclusive participation.
He further emphasized that the company’s vision extends beyond mineral extraction, with plans to establish local processing facilities for raw materials. According to him, this approach will promote value addition, create jobs, and contribute significantly to the national economy.
Mr. Fornah also outlined several proposed corporate social responsibility initiatives, including the installation of solar-powered lighting across all six sections of the chiefdom, the construction of a standard school, the establishment of a healthcare centre, and the provision of other essential social amenities.
Community stakeholders have therefore urged the government and regulatory authorities to expedite the licensing process, arguing that Berkeley Investments has demonstrated both the capacity and goodwill required to operate responsibly and contribute meaningfully to local and national development.
As demand for mining licences continues to grow across the country, the situation in Simiria Chiefdom highlights the increasing importance of community endorsement and corporate accountability in Sierra Leone’s extractive sector.