Labour Minister Engages Marampa Mines Over Workers’ Redundancy Concerns
Sia Lucy Kannah The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has met with Marampa Mines Limited management, union representatives and workers to discuss the company’s ongoing restructuring and its implications for employees.
At the meeting, held at the company’s premises, Koroma assured affected workers that the Ministry would work to protect their rights and interests in accordance with the Employment Act, 2023.
Marampa Mines Holding Chief Executive Officer, Paul Lombard, welcomed the Minister and his delegation, thanking them for visiting the company during what he described as a challenging period for its management and workforce.
Lombard said the company aimed to restart operations as a stronger and more sustainable business. He highlighted improvements under the Marampa Reset Programme, particularly in production performance, plant recovery and operational discipline.
However, he explained that rising international freight rates, higher fuel costs and difficult conditions in the global iron ore market had placed significant pressure on the business, making restructuring necessary to reduce operating costs and improve competitiveness.
According to Lombard, the restructuring began with expatriate positions as the company sought to establish a better balance between expatriate and national employees. He added that future operations would prioritise career progression, skills transfer and leadership development for Sierra Leoneans.
He also commended workers for remaining calm and constructive throughout the period, reaffirming the company’s commitment to fairness, transparency and engagement.
Speaking on behalf of the workers’ union, Mohamed Kabia thanked the Minister and his delegation for engaging employees during the difficult period.
Ibrahim Sattie Kamara, representing the National Minerals Agency (NMA), apologised for the absence of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources and said the Minister supported the engagement. He noted that the situation was a concern for all stakeholders, particularly the Government, given the mining sector’s importance to the national economy.
Kamara said the Government had made efforts to prevent the situation from reaching its current stage, but acknowledged that some of the challenges highlighted by the company were beyond its control. He assured stakeholders that the relevant authorities would continue working with the company and its partners, expressing hope that the current difficulties would not mark the end of Marampa Mines.
Koroma described the visit as his first outside Freetown concerning workers’ issues since assuming office. He acknowledged the challenges facing employees and noted that developments in the global economy had placed additional pressure on businesses.
The Minister said the Employment Act, 2023, contains provisions governing redundancy and that the Ministry was responsible for ensuring employer-employee relations were managed in accordance with the law. He added that he had directed Ministry officials to safeguard the rights and interests of affected workers throughout the process.
Koroma further disclosed that Marampa Mines had assured him that outstanding matters relating to the restructuring would be addressed by the end of November, in accordance with the law, and that affected employees would receive their entitlements. He said the Ministry would monitor the process to ensure the company fulfilled its commitments.
Describing Marampa Mines as an important national asset, Koroma encouraged workers to remain hopeful and patient, noting that some employees could have opportunities to return when operations resume.
During the engagement, workers appealed to management to ensure fair treatment and provide meaningful employment opportunities for employees in future operations.
The Ministry, NMA and company management reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration and ensuring that the restructuring is conducted fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law, with the welfare of affected workers remaining a priority.