By Abdul Malik Bangura

Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) through the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources has on Thursday 23rd September 2020 handed over the Tonkolili Iron Ore Project to Chinese owned Kingho Mining Company Limited.

The event which took place at the Bumbuna Town Court Barry, in Dasogoia Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, saw dignitaries from all the various arms of government received warm welcome from locals of the various mining communities.

Meanwhile, during the handing over ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Timothy Kabba reaffirmed government’s commitment in ensuring that the people of Sierra Leone benefit from the country’s lucrative mining sector. The minister confirmed that Shandong Steel which previously operated the mines has disengaged from mining in Sierra Leone. Thus, he said, as a government which prides itself on the platform of empowering Sierra Leoneans they became very concerned about how soon the mines in Tonkolili would be operational again.

Minister Kabba added that it was difficult for Shandong to relinquish the mining site due to the massive investments they had. However, he said, thankfully with the support from the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, government was able to get Shandong Steel relinquished the site, and as per law, the railway and the port to export iron ore now belong to the GoSL.

In assuring the locals about the creation of jobs, Minister Kabba said that government will ensure that local content is guaranteed. “We must make efforts to empower ourselves,” Minister Kabba said, urging Kingho Mining Company Limited to think about Technical Vocational trainings for Sierra Leoneans in the mining areas as well as to get them onboard in contributing to much needed activities of the mines.

Minister Kabba assured of government’s fullest commitment towards Kingho achieving its objectives, and called on all across every divide to collaborate in ensuring that the Tonkolili Mining Project sets a very good precedent for future mining projects across the country.

On his side, Mr Gilbert Zhao CEO of Kingho Investment Company Limited, said the takeover ceremony is a new dawn for the people of Sierra Leone. He added that as a company Kingho “has been working with the Government of Sierra Leone and Government of China over the last several months trying to have a smooth transition leading to a peaceful and orderly takeover of the mine and its associated assets.”

In addition, the CEO of Kingho Investment Company Limited assured that “in the next few days, we will start full scale maintenance work on the mining, processing facilities and accommodation quarters which will provide several jobs for skilled and unskilled Sierra Leoneans. We will definitely seek for continuous improvement in all aspects of the mine and operations.”

“In line with the Government’s local Content Policy and other key government regulations, we have recruited and in the process of recruiting qualified Sierra Leoneans that will hopefully add value to the organization and bring this project to fruition. We will transform the labor market by empowering citizens at local and national level. We believe that the human resources are our greatest assets,” Mr Zhao confirmed.

The Kingho head concluded by thanking the Government of Sierra Leone through its ministries, departments and agencies for the confidence reposed on Kingho Mining Company Limited. He said “we will also want to thank the Community elders, all stakeholders and citizens of this republic for their support in ensuring that the new Tonkolili Iron Ore Project gets the required attention & prime mover it deserves.”

From the side of the executive arm of government, whilst dilating on the commitment of President Julius Maada Bio in empowering young people across the country, the Honourable Minister of Youths Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura said that government primes transparency as the hallmark of the New Direction. He spoke about Kingho’s previous commitments to corporate social responsibility. He spoke about what the people of Tonkolili would gain should they collaborate with Kingho in achieving its mining objectives.

Meanwhile, from the parliamentary angle, Leader of Government Business in the Sierra Leone House of Parliament, Honorable Sahr Matthew Nyuma who was also present said: “We are here to serve as living testament to the people.” He reaffirmed that parliament will ensure that honouring locals will be the central of Kingho’s investments and employments. He called on youths to engage in dialogue instead of violence and called on them to be involved in sensitive and positive engagements.

In addition, the Parliamentary Committee Chairman on Mines and Mineral Resources Honourable Saa Emerson Lamina who was also present at the handing over ceremony said “government will not create all jobs, but will create credible investment that will create jobs for the people of Sierra Leone.” He said, as MPs, they were present to give assurances to the people, the government and the investors. He called for peace, unity and solidarity of purpose from stakeholders and the people of Tonkolili District. He assured that as a parliamentary committee, they will work in ensuring that Kingho honours its obligation and achieve its mandates.

Honourable Aaron Aruna Koroma, Chairman of Tonkolili Parliamentary Caucus, thanked the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis who is the local consultant of Kingho Mining Company Limited. He thanked the President for the love he has shown to the people of Tonkolili District and assured that they will fully support the agendas of Kingho Mining. He said “Kingho are credible and reputable and we will support them.”

Honourable Abdul Hassan Sesay, another MP from Tonkolili District and Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Labour, said “a rebirth of Kingho is a rebirth of hope.” He thanked the Minister of Mines for his initiative in ensuring that peace and tranquility coexist in the mining communities.

Furthermore, from the MPs of the mining communities, Honourable Musa Jalloh of Sambaia Chiefdom emphasized the need to prioritize locals in the recruitment process. On her brief remarks, Honourable Rose Maria Bangura of Simiria, Kafe and Dasogoia chiefdoms expressed optimism that the relationship between Kingho and the people will achieve its required goals. She said that they would want the headquarters of Kingho Mining Company to be based in Magburaka, the District headquarters of Tonkolili.

Whilst welcoming the dignitaries to Bumbuna Town, the Paramount Chief of Dasogoia Chiefdom, PC Alimamy Y. Koroma said the handing over ceremony is a dream come true. He urged that Labour Laws are modified to give his people decent jobs. He thanked the government for giving local authorities the rights to negotiate their welfare with the mining companies.

Meanwhile, the programme was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Labour and Social Security, Lawyer Alpha Timbo who said “a good government must always try to cater for the betterment of the people. He said the programme was to not only protect the interest of the state, but also the people and to create atmosphere for credible future investments.

Other statements were made by the Resident Minister North, Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma and the Tonkolili District Chairlady Madam Yabom Sesay.

The programme climaxed with an official handing over ceremony which took place at the mining site.