By Abubakarr Harding
The Sum of Le 1.4 Billion was paid by the Pan Africa Rare Mining Company Sierra Leone Limited to the three mining communities of Nimikoro, Nimiyama and Sandor in Kono District as surface rent for the use of their land.
It should be noted that diamond mining is synonymous with Kono as its
soils are by far the home to some of the country’s precious minerals, like diamond, gold, bauxite, iron ore, etc.
This time round, it must be noted that it will be the first time Coltan mining is going to commence in the district by the Pan African Rare Metals Mining Company.
Coltan is a dull black metal used in the manufacturing of mobile phones, cameras, personal computers and other items.
The maiden exploration of Coltan in Kono District is expected to begin in the three chiefdoms of Nimikoro, Nimiyama, and Sandor. The Pan African Rare Metals Mining company is expected to start producing over millions of Coltan for exporting in one year.
Even before the start of mining operations, residents in the three chiefdoms are already boasting of numerous developments.
Meanwhile, to make known the relevance of the Operations of Pan Africa Rare Mining Company and in line with the fulfillment of the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009, the company has paid one billion Leones as surface rent to the three communities in Kono.
In his brief statement, Honorable PC Aiah Bona of Minikoro Chiefdom said the company has brought massive infrastructural and financial development in their communities and they are deeply gratified for the swift response thus far.
On their part, the people of Nimiyama Chiefdom were extremely happy for having such a huge investment and a source of livelihood within their communities for their young people to be gainfully employed and engender sustainable National development in the country and not just Kono district.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources reaffirmed Government’s commitment to create the enabling environment for private sector investments boom.
He cautiously encouraged residents to work with the company closely for the benefit of both the district and the country as a whole.
In his statement, Pan African Mining Country Chairman, Fassally Tawarally, said they would continue to pay the surface rent for mining rights in all three chiefdoms, as well as building the capacity of their workers that will form part of the workforce from the three chiefdoms.
The people of Kono perceived the coming of Pan African Metals Company as a means to bolster the country’s economy and forestall growth in the mining sector following the shutdown of other mining companies in recent times.
The company is poised to create massive employment opportunities for young people particularly for those in the areas of operations.
Since the 1930s when mining started in Kono district, there has been no tangible impact and development in the district but it is the sincere hope of stakeholders in the district to see a reverse.
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