MoPED Engages Sembehun Communities on Sierra Rutile Expansion and Resettlement Compliance

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has conducted a two-day inspection and stakeholder engagement visit to communities affected by Sierra Rutile Limited’s expansion of mining operations in Sembehun, Moyamba District.

The Engagement was done on 28–29 May 2026. As part of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development’s responsibilities under the National Development-Induced Resettlement Act, 2023, aimed at ensuring that development projects involving physical or economic displacement are implemented in line with national laws, international standards, and principles of social inclusion and human dignity.

The delegation, led by Director Mustapha Kposowa and accompanied by Deputy Director Dennis MacFoy and technical staff, engaged Project Affected Persons (PAPs), inspected proposed relocation sites, reviewed ongoing Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) processes, and assessed the effectiveness of community consultation, grievance redress, and RAP committee structures.

Furthermore, the visit also provided an opportunity for community members to raise concerns relating to compensation, crop valuation, land acquisition, livelihood restoration, and timelines for relocation activities.

Addressing stakeholders, Director Kposowa described the National Development-Induced Resettlement Act, 2023, as a landmark legal framework that provides clear institutional and procedural guidance for planning, implementing, monitoring, and regulating development-induced resettlement activities in Sierra Leone.

He stressed that the law ensures development projects are implemented in a lawful, transparent, and inclusive manner that safeguards the rights, livelihoods, culture, and wellbeing of affected communities.

According to the Director, the Act promotes key principles requiring resettlement to be avoided wherever possible and, where unavoidable, implemented in a manner that minimizes disruption, guarantees fair compensation, protects vulnerable groups, and supports sustainable livelihood restoration.

Speaking on behalf of Sierra Rutile Limited, Community Relations and Social Development Manager Osman Lahai, accompanied by resettlement and land acquisition experts Cecelia J. Saidu, provided updates on the company’s Resettlement Action Plan for the Sembehun Project.

He disclosed that SRL’s expansion into Area 5 will require the phased relocation of eight villages over several years. Phase One will involve the relocation of Kamatipa and Nyandehun villages by the second quarter of 2027, while subsequent phases are projected for 2032 and 2034.

Mr. Lahai highlighted key milestones already achieved since the RAP process commenced in October 2025, including aerial surveys, declaration of a RAP cut-off date, validation of housing designs and village layouts, socio-economic surveys, establishment of RAP working groups and grievance committees, and initiation of land acquisition processes for new settlement sites.

He added that upcoming activities will include preparation of the entitlement matrix, crop assessment and compensation, construction of houses and community facilities, livelihood restoration programmes, physical relocation exercises, and external auditing of the RAP process.

Additionally, Sierra Rutile representative assured communities and government officials that the company remains committed to implementing the RAP in compliance with Sierra Leonean laws, including the National Development-Induced Resettlement Act, 2023, and international best practices on resettlement and community development.

Finally, the inspection concluded with consultations in Kamatipa and Nyandehun, where Project Affected Persons provided feedback and reaffirmed the importance of continuous engagement, transparency, and accountability throughout the resettlement process.