Koidu Holdings Limited has submitted a preliminary report to the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources detailing the impacts of the recent industrial strike in Kono District, which  has now dragged on for nearly five weeks and is estimated to have cost the company between $6 million and $8 million in production losses.

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Mattai, confirmed receipt of the report while speaking at a press briefing in Freetown, and further expressed concern over the significant disruption to operations at the company’s diamond mine.

The strike, which gained public attention following support from First Lady Fatima Bio and employees, was reportedly triggered by disagreements over wages and salary increments, pointing to a broader industrial dispute and financial standoff between workers and management.

“The company is deeply worried about the production losses incurred. This disruption affects not just their operations but also national export figures and economic output.” the Minister stated.

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Reportedly, Koidu Holdings is one of Sierra Leone’s flagship mining operations, contributes roughly 12% of the country’s total export value, with a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees, mostly nationals. At one point, the sector’s export contribution had dropped drastically from 8.8% to 2.3%, highlighting the volatility of the industry.

Minister Mattai explained that, despite the ongoing strike, the company has managed to maintain some operations under what is known as “Care and Maintenance” mode, a scaled-down system designed to preserve machinery and critical systems until full production resumes.

“They realized that if most national staff return to work, they can still manage some level of production without completely shutting down,” he noted.

The minister also pointed to provisions in the revised Mines and Minerals Act, which allows licensed mining companies a 100-day notification period in the event of a strike or technical emergency. This legal window enables companies to engage relevant authorities while taking precautionary or corrective action.

However, Mattia clarified that while the Ministry of Mines focuses on health, safety, and technical operations, labor-related grievances fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

“There’s a clear distinction in roles. When it comes to industrial actions triggered by salary disputes or working conditions, it’s the Ministry of Labour that takes the lead,” he emphasized.

The situation remains under review as stakeholders, including Koidu Holdings, government officials, and labor representatives, continue discussions aimed at resolving the standoff and restoring full operations