Sierra Leone Government Signs 49-Year Land Lease Agreements with Three Chiefdoms for Iron Ore Mining

The Sierra Leone Mines and Mineral Development and Management Corporation (SLMMDMC), a government-owned entity, has finalized land lease agreements with three chiefdoms – Diang, Sambaia, and Dansogoia, for the management of the Kasafoni Iron Ore Deposits.

The agreements were signed during a ceremony attended by a high-level government delegation led by Finance Minister Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, alongside other key officials including the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba Lamina, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rtd AIG Morie Lengor.

The land lease agreements are set to last for 49 years, with an option for renewal for an additional 25 years.

In Diang Chiefdom, the annual surface rent is established at $76,000, approximately NLe 1,824,000, with provisions for review every five years.

The community is expected to benefit from infrastructure improvements, including roads, schools, hospitals, and other social amenities.

The agreement further includes a mechanism for addressing grievances, allowing for resolution within 14 days, and if necessary, arbitration involving an independent third party.

In Sambaia Bendugu Chiefdom, the annual surface rent is set at $118,000, or about NLe 2,832,000, also subject to a five-year review and government assurances for upward adjustments.

The chiefdom, as confirmed in the agreement, will see enhancements in roads, railways, schools, hospitals, and utilities, with a commitment to prioritizing local residents for job opportunities.

Dansogoia Chiefdom, which occupies only 3% of the Kasafoni Iron Ore concession, will receive an annual surface rent of $6,000, with similar terms and conditions as the other agreements.

The landowners across all three chiefdoms have expressed their support for the agreements, signing in approval and thanking the Government of Sierra Leone for this significant development.

The SLMMDMC is tasked with overseeing the mining interests of the nation, regarded as a crucial step in the management of Sierra Leone’s mineral resources.