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The Sierra Leone Chamber of Mines was originally formed in 1965 taking the place of the former Sierra Leone Mining Association. It went into abeyance during the civil war and was re-established on 13 February 2013 with a new constitution.

It serves the industry through industry promotion, advocacy, networking and information sharing.

It is the voice of the extractive industry in Sierra Leone.

Members of the Sierra Leone Chamber of Mines include the big five mining companies - Sierra Rutile Ltd, London Mining, Octea Mining, African Minerals Ltd and Amara Gold SL Ltd.

The mining sector makes a substantial contribution to our economy.

Financial benefits from mining are derived mainly from royalties, PAYE income tax, corporate taxes, import duties, annual licence fees and payments to local communities.

With new investments in the mining sector, Sierra Leone exported around US$ 1.4 billion worth of minerals in 2013 and revenue from the minerals sector exceeded US$ 100 million.

Total diamond export for last year alone was 609,758 carats, valued at US$ 185,692,633; reflecting a 14% increase on 2012 figures.

London Mining mining the Marampa deposit, and African Minerals Ltd mining the Tonkolili deposit are currently expanding their operations, with African Minerals targeting a consistent export rate of 20 million tonnes a year of high grade hematite concentrate and London Mining targeting a staged expansion to over 16 million tonnes a year.

The mining sector actively promotes the Local Content Policy.

Last year the Sierra Leone Chamber of Mines signed a Declaration of Cooperation that committed our industry to working with the Government and other partners to progress the implementation of the Local Content Policy.

African Minerals alone currently employs close to 4,000 workers directly and 3,000 indirectly through contractors. The five large scale mining companies employ about 8,000 directly and 6,000 indirectly through contractors.

The mining sector contributes substantially to employment.

Mines also create jobs in communities indirectly. Many businesses provide services for mining companies such as transportation, meals, accommodation and construction.

A well regulated mining industry can bring financial, economic, social and other benefits for Sierra Leone and its people.

The mining industry supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

Infrastructure developed for mining can also contribute to the development of public infrastructure at the national, regional and community level.

Both the mining sector and the Government of Sierra Leone share an interest in investing in a skilled workforce.

In partnership with GIZ, London Mining has undertaken a project called From Mines to Minds, committing EUR 200,000 to the project.Its objectives are to provide technical, vocational and educational training at one of the best technical schools in the country (St. Joseph’s) in the local town of Lunsar and achieve Functional Adult Literacy for those in the 17 communities around the Marampa mine site that cannot benefit from St. Joseph’s.

The promotion of youth employment is another of the mining sector’s objectives.

We support education in the mining communities in which we operate - building and furnishing schools, funding scholarships and providing learning materials.

“It is reflective of the new era of mining in Sierra Leone that the challenging economic climate has not impacted on our commitment to becoming partners in the development of Sierra Leone and its economy.” John Bonoh Sisay, President, Chamber of Mines and Chief Executive Officer, Sierra Rutile Ltd.

“Sierra Leone stands on the verge of unprecedented growth, to be driven largely by revenues from the mining sector. The Agenda for Prosperity has identified the minerals sector as the engine for economic growth, and Managing Mineral resources is a key pillar of this development agenda.” Sahr Wonday, Director General, National Minerals Agency.

The industry-wide realisation that it would be far more efficient and beneficial to us within the mining sector, to have one body advocating on behalf of our industry, along with promoting its growth and fostering its development has given rise to the Sierra Leone Chamber of Mines. We look forward to working with all our stakeholders to develop an industry that every Sierra Leonean will regard with pride.

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