Cheng Li Mining Company SL has paid the sum of Le660 Million as its third surface rent to two chiefdoms in Koinadugu District. This amount paid as surface rent by Cheng Li Mining Company to Diang and Sambaya chiefdoms is in line with the Mines and Minerals Act.
Since the 1930s when mining started in Diang Chiefdom Koinadugu district, no tangible impact is said to have been created on the community. However, residents now say that with the coming of Cheng Li Mining Company in two years, they have recorded massive developments.
Handing over the cheques to the land owners, the Country Director Cheng Li Mining Company SL, Fassally Tawarallysaid his company will continue to adhere to the regulations of the mining sector, build the capacities of the communities and open opportunities for especially young people.
Cheng Li mines gold in Koinadugu district Northeast of Sierra Leone. As a large-scale mining license holder, they are required by law to put 0.01% of their proceeds into community development.
In addition to that obligation, the company has pledged to provide water facilities for the two chiefdoms, and is starting the construction of a five hundred million Leones chiefdom court baray project. It also promised to increase the number of scholarships as well as pay salaries of the teachers.
Paramount Chief, Sheku Magba III of Diang Chiefdom said Cheng Li Mining Company has paved their road network, given academic scholarships to over one hundred indigenous children, provided teaching and school learning materials for five hundred children as well as pay the salaries of teachers. He added that the company has facilitated the installation of telecommunications network coverage, provided employment to hundreds of locals within the chiefdom and donated football gears.
The people of Diang and Sambaya chiefdoms were happy for such an investment and a source of livelihood for their communities, saying it is great improvement brought to them by Cheng Li Mining Company.
They testified that even before the commencement of operations by Cheng Li Mining Company, they had already started benefiting from numerous developmental projects.
National Minerals Agency Community Liaison Office Manager, Henry Kamara reaffirmed government’s commitment to creating the enabling environment for private sector investments to thrive.
He called on residents to work with the company for the benefit of both the district and the company.
