Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray has raised concerns over the environmental and community impact of Kenetic Mining’s operations in Ribbi and Bumpeh Chiefdoms, calling for urgent consultation between the company, its parent body Minnet and local stakeholders.
Hon. Mansaray made the concerns on Monday, August 24, 2026, during a meeting with representatives of Kenetic Mining, where he said communities in the two chiefdoms welcomed responsible development but would not accept mining activities that compromise their health, safety, livelihoods or access to essential resources.
The lawmaker, who said he was representing his colleague, Hon. Umu Pyne, who was in Freetown, was accompanied by Ribbi Section Speaker and stakeholder Hassan Kabba, local government representative Councilor Abubakar Mansaray and Ribbi Chiefdom Youth Leader Ibrahim Albert Turay.
Hon. Mansaray said neither he nor the communities were opposed to legitimate mining operations where the necessary licences and approvals had been lawfully obtained. However, he stressed that mining activities must be carried out transparently, responsibly and in accordance with Sierra Leone’s laws.
One of the major concerns raised was the reported pollution and contamination of water sources in communities affected by the company’s operations.
According to the lawmaker, residents around the Makaikona area in Ribbi and Rotawa in Bumpeh have raised concerns about the condition of their water sources.
He stressed that if mining activities interfere with or destroy community sources of drinking water, the company should provide adequate and sustainable alternatives.
“Clean and safe water is fundamental to human life,” Hon. Mansaray said, stressing that mining operations should not expose communities to unnecessary health and environmental risks.
The lawmaker also criticised what he described as a lack of meaningful engagement between Kenetic Mining, its parent company Minnet and key stakeholders in Ribbi and Bumpeh Chiefdoms.
He said stakeholders had not been given sufficient opportunity to engage with the companies to understand their plans and the long-term implications of the mining operations.
Among the issues he wants the company to clarify are its roadmap for mining activities in the two chiefdoms, the number of jobs expected to be created for local residents, opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs, planned community development programmes and measures being taken to protect the environment.
He also called for clarity on workers’ terms and conditions of employment, health and safety protections, the company’s obligations to its employees and provisions under applicable local content requirements to ensure meaningful participation of Sierra Leoneans and members of the host communities.
“These are not unreasonable demands. They are legitimate questions from communities whose land and natural resources are being utilised,” he stated.
Another concern raised by the lawmaker was activities along the Rotawa Road, particularly what he described as an apparent obstruction of a waterway on the trunk road.
Hon. Mansaray warned that blocking or diverting natural waterways could redirect water into communities, farms and other properties, potentially resulting in flooding, erosion and other environmental consequences.
He therefore called for the activities affecting the waterway to stop immediately pending proper assessment and consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The lawmaker emphasised that his intervention was not intended to prevent legitimate investment or undermine Kenetic Mining’s operations.
Instead, he said the objective was to ensure that the company’s success goes hand in hand with the wellbeing and interests of the communities hosting its operations.
Hon. Mansaray noted that the mining project represents a significant investment and said he understood that the company was preparing to install three dredges or processing plants.
He argued that the scale of the planned operations made it necessary for communities to clearly understand the company’s roadmap, environmental safeguards, employment commitments, community benefits and legal obligations before activities expand further.
As a member of Parliament’s Mines and Minerals Committee, Hon. Mansaray said he had communicated with the Committee’s Chairman regarding his visit and considered the issues raised to be both community and national concerns.
He called on Kenetic Mining to immediately engage its parent company, Minnet, and organise a comprehensive consultative meeting involving chiefdom authorities, community stakeholders, local representatives and other relevant authorities.
Hon. Mansaray said he was prepared to remain in the area for three days to facilitate and encourage meaningful engagement between the company and affected communities.
He also stressed that the communities’ concerns should not be interpreted as a call for confrontation or violence.
“Our position is not a call for violence, destruction or confrontation,” he said, adding that the communities did not want the company’s property damaged or disorder created.
“What we want is dialogue, transparency, accountability and responsible mining,” he stated.
However, Hon. Mansaray warned that if the concerns continue to be ignored and meaningful consultation fails to take place, communities could resort to appropriate traditional and lawful mechanisms to protect their interests.
He summarised the communities’ position by calling for an immediate halt to activities affecting waterways, action on concerns over contaminated water, engagement with community stakeholders and the involvement of Kenetic Mining’s parent company in discussions.
He further urged the company to provide clear information on its operational plans, employment opportunities and community benefits.
“We welcome investment. We welcome development. But the interest, health, safety and wellbeing of our people must come first,” Hon. Mansaray said.
