Freetown, 18^th October 2019. The Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources (MMMR) and the National Minerals Agency (NMA) hereby inform the general public that, consistent with the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009, the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) cancelled the large-scale Mining Licences of Marampa Iron Ore Limited (ML 05/2014) and SL Mining (ML 01/2017), effective 11^th September 2018 and 4^th October 2019, respectively.   

Government took these decisions because the aforementioned Mineral Rights Holders respectively breached their statutory obligations under the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009, and/or the applicable Mining Lease Agreement.

The Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources (MMMR) and the National Minerals Agency (NMA) further wish to state that Government has not had any discussions with any individual, mining company or corporate entity on the above concessions, and anyone, corporate entity/mining company claiming to have had such discussions with Government is misleading the public. In particular, Government has not had discussions with Cape Lambert nor Frank Timis.

The MMMR and the NMA hereby assure the public of our commitment to ensure that all Sierra Leoneans derive maximum benefits from our mineral wealth, and we shall update the public about any further development.

For further information, please contact:

The National Minerals Agency

New England Ville, Freetown

Tel: 232 (79) 250702

Email: info@nma.gov.sl