Sierra Leone and the Mining

Sierra Leone was under British influence. From 1808 it became a British colony and was part of the British colonial kingdom. They got the independence in 1961 The mining sector in Sierra Leone is important for the economy and contributes significantly to GDP, exporter proceeds and employment. Recent challenge are ahead, including work conflicts and demands for more transparency, have caused the government to act.  The government actively negotiates the solution to the crisis at Koidu Limited, the country's largest diamond sponsor. In May 2025, this had to close after lengthy strikes for outstanding wages and poor working conditions. The Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Remine Getplies between employees, unions and the company to resume the company. This requires $ 20 million in financial resources. In addition, reforms as part of the Mines and Mineral Development Act 2022 provide for better working conditions, agreements on community development and the restoration of the environment after mining. At the Sierra Leone Mining Week 2025, the government confirmed its commitment to sustainable mining practices and social advantages. The most important measures include: - Strengthening the initiative for transparency in the raw material industry (EITI) to ensure responsibility for income. - Reintroduction of the Sierra Leone Chamber of Mines to promote cooperation in industry and ethical standards. - Strictly compliance with environmental and social regulations. The government diversifies its activities beyond diamonds and iron ore: - Offshore oil and gas licenses: A new licensing round with 56 available offshore blocks is planned for the end of 2025. The petroleum directorate is aiming for an accelerated exploration and is aiming for the first oil production in the coming years.  -3D seismic: from mid-2025 to reduce the risk of offshore pools and attract investors. - Foundation of a national oil company (NOC) for the administration of state shares in hydrocarbon projects. The revised Mines and Minerals Act 2022 hires mining companies: - 1 % of the annual turnover for community development funds. - Prioritize local employment and procurement. - to conduct sensible consultations with affected communities in order to avoid conflicts. In order to revive the sector, the government takes the following measures: - It offers tax incentives and simplified approval procedures (e.g. 85-day license processing). - It presents opportunities on international forums such as the investment in African Energy (IAE) forum.  - Compensation of restrictions on foreign property with investor -friendly conditions in mining and energy sector. - The closure of Koidu Limited interrupted diamond export and affected global care. - Illegal mining and inadequate enforcement continue to provide concern, although the NMA strengthens compliance controls. - Gender in mining communities continue to exist, whereby women work for more inclusion. Conclusion The Sierra Leones government is working on making mining a fairer, more transparent and more diversified sector. The most important priorities include the settlement of work conflicts, the enforcement of community services and the acceleration of hydrocarbon exploration. Success depends on reconciling investor interests with local development and strict regulations.