LRMG PAYS $4.3 MILLION CDA TO HOST COMMUNITIES
The leading mining company in Sierra Leone,Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG) has on Wednesday, April 29, paid $4.3 million,equivalent to Nle99.045,404 million to host communities in Tonkolili District.
The company also commissioned phase II. of the 30 Million Ton Per Annum (MTPA) Magnetite processing plant to enhance production and value addition.
The payment of CDA is provided for in the Mines and Minerals Act for mining companies to be paying 1% of their yearly revenue to host mining communities and LRMG has been the leading mining company that adheres to such provision.
Since 2022,the company has been increasing the payment of CDA from Le5.3 Blion,Le20 Billion in 2023, over Le53 Billion in 2024,over NL62 million in 2025 to NLe99.045,404 in 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony,President Julius Maada Bio started off by remarking that the day was a special day for the people of the mining communities and a clear demonstration of a principle that the natural resources benefit the people.
He thanked the company for providing everything they promised and emphasised that “our people must benefit from their mineral resources”.
He noted that development must be seen and felt in mining communities.
“We have suffered for far too long and now is the time for us to benefit from our minerals.I commend LRMG for its commitment to community development,” he said.
He said the commissioning of the processing plant is critical for the country’s future and will increase high grade ranking in the global market because of the value addition.
He reiterated that Sierra Leone is no longer mining minerals,but processing and adding values to them.
Speaking at the ceremony,Paramount Chief of Dansogoia Chiefdom, PC Bockarie Yelen Koroma II, expressed appreciation for the development the mining proceeds have effected in the mining communities.
‘The communities will never forget the hallmark of development the company has brought to them and I pray that they continue to create the enabling environment for the company to grow,” he said.
Salim Sillah,Chief Technical Officer of LRMG, said the day was not about fulfilling promises alone, but by demonstrating willingness to effect development in the mining communities.
He dilated on the implementation of the CDA funds,citing the award of scholarship to over 700 university students in the communities.
He noted that to further ensure youth empowerment, he said the company together with the communities will compel youth who cannot access university to train in various skills.
Salim Sillah further cited the payment of stipends to 260 volunteer teachers in the communities. In the area of women empowerment, he said the company has empowered about 662 women in agriculture.
He applauded the paramount chiefs for cooperating with the company in ensuring development in the communities.
He said the company has constructed a fully funded health centre,refurbished some and provided facilities within. Hon.Foyoh Thorley,Member of Parliament representing the host communities said the day was a big day because history was in the making,especially when communities are now benefiting from mining proceeds.
He said as Members of Parliament, they were monitoring the implementation of the CDA funds and that “we are feeling the visible developments across the communities.
He noted that CDA is not a charity but an obligation and that they appreciate the company for complying with that obligation.
Zhang Yongping,Managing Director of LRMG also made a statement and expressed commitment to continue investing and developing the country.
He called on the government and community to create the enabling environment for the company to operate fully, stating that the commuty should own the project.
Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone,Zhao Yong thanked President Bio for creating the enabling environment for the company to operate.
He said the payment of the CDA shows a commitment of Chinese companies to obey the laws of Sierra Leone.
Credit: Alusine Sesay
About the Author
