The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has engaged the management and workers of Marampa Mines Limited, amid the company’s ongoing restructuring process, assuring affected employees that the Ministry will ensure their rights and interests are protected in accordance with the Employment Act, 2023.
The engagement, held at the company’s premises, brought together representatives of the Ministry, the National Minerals Agency (NMA), Marampa Mines management, Union Representatives,and workers to discuss the restructuring process and its implications for employees.
Welcoming the Minister,and his delegation, a the CEO of Marampa Mines Holding, Paul Lombard expressed appreciation for the visit, particularly during what he described as a challenging period for the company and its workforce.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to restarting operations as a stronger and more sustainable business, highlighting improvements achieved under the Marampa Reset Programme in production performance, plant recovery and operational discipline.
He explained that rising international freight rates, increased fuel costs and challenging global iron ore market conditions had placed considerable pressure on the business, necessitating restructuring measures to reduce operating costs and establish a more competitive foundation for future operations.
He further noted that the company had commenced the restructuring with expatriate positions to achieve a better balance between expatriate and national employees.
He added that future operations would prioritise national career progression, skills transfer and leadership development, creating more opportunities for Sierra Leoneans.
Furthermore, he also commended workers for remaining calm and constructive throughout the process, assuring them that the company remained committed to fairness, transparency and engagement as it navigates this process.
Speaking on behalf of the workers’ union, Mohamed Kabia thanked the Minister and his delegation for visiting and engaging with employees during the difficult period.
Representing the National Minerals Agency, Ibrahim Sattie Kamara apologised for the absence of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, assuring the gathering that he fully supported the process.
He commended workers for maintaining calm, noting that the situation was a concern to all stakeholders, particularly the Government, given the importance of the mining sector to the national economy. He acknowledged that the Government had made efforts to prevent the situation from reaching its current stage but explained that some of the challenges highlighted by the company were beyond its control.
He assured workers that the relevant authorities would continue working with the company and its partners, expressing optimism that the current situation was not the end of the road for Marampa Mines.
In his remarks, Minister Koroma thanked the management for facilitating the engagement, describing it as his first visit outside Freetown in connection with workers’ issues since assuming office.
Credit: MELSS Communications Unit
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