LRMG PRESENTS EXPANSION AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS TO PARLIAMENT

By Morlai Sesay

Sierra Leone's leading mining company, Leone Rock Metal Group has On Friday, 18th July 2025, presented an ambitious expansion and community project to the Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Held at Committee Room One of the Parliament Building, Tower Hill, Freetown, representatives of the Company did a comprehensive presentation before the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Mineral Resources, chaired by Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina. Presentations by Ibrahim Sesay and Abdul Rahman Jabbie, the Senior Coordinator and Compliance Officer, were centered around the company’s mining operations, development impact, and compliance with national laws.

Abdul Rahman Jabbi highlighted the expansion of their iron ore mining project, which is producing ore with a concentrate grade ranging from 62% to 67%. The company has developed a processing capacity of twelve million tons per annum. Jabbi further explained the company’s use of standard mining equipment at its processing facility and the integration of solar power technology to boost energy efficiency and support increased production. He also presented detailed design plans and shared the annual production plan for 2025, including the submission of monthly production reports to the National Minerals Agency (NMA).

They further disclosed that the company employs over six thousand workers, including both Sierra Leonean nationals and foreign experts, which is in adherence to the local content policy. Recruitment and promotion processes were also highlighted, showing the company’s role in contributing to employment and technical skills development in the mining sector.

Under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) as mandated by Section 143 of the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2022, the company is said to be contributing 1% of its revenue toward development projects in host communities. These include the construction of health centres, multipurpose buildings, the provision of clean water, and the awarding of scholarships. The scholarship scheme supports 70 beneficiaries in each of the three host chiefdoms. Additionally, the company’s Community Development Action Plan supports agriculture initiatives among other local projects.

Members of Parliament commended the company for portraying the interests of the community and the state. They acknowledged the employment of locals and recognized the company’s commitment to development. However, the Committee raised concerns over a recent decline in employment figures in the last quarter and sought clarification regarding the selection process for scholarship beneficiaries and the actual value of the scholarships provided.

Further inquiries from Parliamentarians included questions about the mining closure plan, the projected timeline for Leone Rock to commence steel production, and whether adequate priority was being given to critical road infrastructure within operational communities. In response, the company addressed all questions, noting that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is actively enforcing progressive rehabilitation across mining sites. The above highlighted presentation demonstrates Leone Rock’s alignment with national mining policies, community development expectations, and sustainable mining practices, though the Committee stressed the need for more attention to road conditions and transparent implementation of CDA projects.