Case Study

Pre-extractive extraction Post-extraction

Extraction Launch of Wongor's The Regeneration of
Komahun Gold Africa (1906): Pixley ka
Processing Plant in Isaka Seme delivered a
Nimikoro Chiefdom: In seminal speech titled "The
2018, Wongor Investment Regeneration of Africa" at
Mining Corporation, a Columbia University,
Chinese mining company,
New York. Barnes &
began gold exploration
Noble In his address,
activities in the Kono
District. References The Seme emphasized the
company initiated mine importance of education
development activities, and industrial
progressing towards development for Africans,
establishing a gold advocating for the
processing plant. cultivation of a new and
Reference and by 2021, unique civilization that
The Minister of Mines would contribute to the
and Mineral Resources, world. He highlighted the
Musa Timothy Kabbah, African people's ancestral
launched Wongor's greatness, unimpaired
Komahun Gold
genius, and recuperative
Processing Plant in
power as sources of
Nimikoro Chiefdom,
marking the start of full- inspiration for this
scale gold mining and regeneration. Welcome to
processing operations. Blackpast •
Reference. While this
may have resulted in
increased tax revenue for
the government, the
community has been left
to count the cost. Wongor
in 2022 paid 273 million
old Leones to Nimikoro
and Nimiyama Chiefdoms
as surface rent and an
additional 480 million
Leones as Community
Development Agreement
(CDA) fees, which the
communities members
deem not enough to cover
the damage done by their
mining activities
Reference
Expansion of Artisanal
Diamond Mining
Initiatives: GemFair, an
initiative aimed at
formalizing the artisanal
diamond mining sector,
expanded its operations in
Sierra Leone in 2022. The
program increased its
reach to over 260 mine
sites, providing fair value
for diamonds, training on
standards, and distributing
personal protective
equipment to enhance
safety and ethical
practices among miners.
Reference
Acquisition of Marampa 2019- A New Wave of
Mine by Gerald Group: Resource Nationalism in
In 2010, London Mining Sierra Leone: Sierra
Company Limited Leone abruptly cancelled
acquired the marampa Gerald Group's iron ore
mine but due to financial mining license, reflecting
difficulties, ceased a resurgence of resource
operations at the nationalism across Africa.
Marampa iron ore mine The cancellation, amid
impacting local high iron ore prices, led
employment and the Gerald to seek $500m in
economy. After four years compensation. Reference
of closure, the Marampa
iron ore mines reopened
in 2019 following
investment by a Sierra
Leonean company
ultimately owned by the
Gerald Group. The Gerald
group aim to revive iron
ore production and
contribute to economic
Reference
2019-Sierra Leone 2020-Development of
Launches Geophysical the National Action Plan
Survey and Mining Data for Artisanal and Small-
System: The new Scale Gold Mining: The
government of President government developed a
Dr Julius Maada Bio in an National Action Plan
effort to transform the (NAP) to formalize and
mining sector, launched regulate the artisanal and
the country's first airborne small-scale gold mining
geophysical survey on 29 (ASGM) sector. The NAP
January 2019. The aimed to reduce the use of
government recognized mercury in mining
the need for geological activities, protect the
data for effective mineral environment, and improve
policies to boost the the livelihoods of miners
minerals sector. Reference and their communities.
The NMA in-house Reference
Directorate of Technology
and Information
Management (DTIM) and
the Enterprise
Geoscientific Information
 Management System
(eGIMS) was also
deployed to capture, store,
manage, analyse and
share all mining related
geoscientific and social
development data and
information. Reference.
Reference

Consumption site Shandong Iron and Steel 2020- Human Rights

Group's Investment in Abuse Allegations
Tonkolili Mine: against African
Shandong Iron and Steel Minerals Limited:
Group (SISG), a Chinese African Minerals Limited
state-owned enterprise, (AML) faced serious
acquired a 25% stake in allegations of human
African Minerals rights abuses in Sierra
Limited's (AML) Leone. The accusations
Tonkolili iron ore project included false
in Sierra Leone for $1.5 imprisonment, assault,
billion. Reference This trespass, theft, and
investment included the complicity in the fatal
development of integrated shooting of a protester.
mine, rail, port, and Villagers claim violent
power facilities, with evictions and abuses by
SISG securing rights to police, allegedly in
purchase up to 25% of the concert with AML, to
annual iron ore expand mining
production at discounted operations. AML denies
rates. However, by 2015, liability, emphasizing
AML faced financial jurisdictional issues and
difficulties due to denying responsibility for
declining iron ore prices police actions. The
and the Ebola outbreak, lawsuit emphasizes the
leading to SISG acquiring challenges of regulating
the remaining 75% stake Western companies in the
in the project. References developing world.
In 2016, SISG announced Reference
plans to invest an
additional $700 million in
an iron ore processing
plant at the Tonkolili site,
aiming to enhance
production efficiency and
output. References
Meya Kimberlites 2020-Launch of the
Project in Koidu: Meya Planet Gold Sierra
Mining commenced its Leone Project: The
exploration activities in Environment Protection
the Kono District, Agency Sierra Leone, in
focusing on partnership with
diamondiferous Conservation
kimberlite dykes International, initiated the
geologically associated Planet Gold Sierra Leone
with the Koidu Mine. Project in 2020. The
Reference The company project aims to formalize
formalized its corporate Artisanal and Small-scale
structure, with Trustco Gold Mining (ASGM)
Group Holdings holding a efforts, enhance
significant stake. environmental
Reference In 2024, Meya management techniques,
Mining recovered a and reduce mercury use,
391.45-carat diamond promoting safer and more
from the Meya River sustainable livelihoods
kimberlite domain, Reference
marking one of the largest
diamond discoveries in
the region. Reference
Baomahun Gold 2022-Land for Life
Project: FG Gold Initiative Calls for
advanced its Baomahun Resolution of Malen
Gold Project, covering Land Dispute: The
124.27 km² and estimated "Land for Life Initiative"
to contain 5.81 million (LFLI) urged the Sierra
ounces of gold. The Leonean government to
Baomahun Gold Project is resolve a land dispute
situated approximately between the Malen
200km east of the capital Affected LandOwners
Freetown, in the Valunia Association (MALOA)
and Kunike Barina and the Socfin
Chiefdoms in the Bo and Agricultural Company
Tonkolili Districts (SAC). Transparency
respectively. This project issues regarding lease fee
is poised to become Sierra distribution, with funds
Leone's first large-scale allegedly misdirected to
commercial gold mine, the Malen Chiefdom
with construction Council instead of the
underway and production landowners, brought the
anticipated to commence mining company and the
in 2025. Reference community group into
conflict. The organization
recommended
government intervention
for a sustainable
resolution, revisions to
SAC’s payment methods,
and greater engagement
with the affected
communities. Reference

Sierra Rutile acquired 2023-Establishment

by IL&FS: In 2012, of the Sierra
Indian multinational Leone Mines and
company IL&FS acquired Minerals
a controlling stake in Development and
Sierra Rutile Limited, a Management
company engaged in the Corporation: In
extraction of rutile, a 2023, legislation was
titanium dioxide mineral. passed to establish
The company expanded Sierra Leone Mines
rutile mining operations and Minerals
in the Bonthe District, Development and
focusing on the extraction Management
and export of rutile to Corporation, aiming
international markets. to manage mineral
However, in December and mining
2016, Australian-based development
Iluka Resources Limited activities on behalf
acquired Sierra Rutile of Sierra Leone and
Limited for £215 million, facilitate state
marking a significant shift participation in the
in ownership. sector. Reference.
PR Newswire The corporation also
facilitates state
involvement in the mining
sector to ensure that
mineral resource
development aligns with
national interests.
Reference

Sierra Rutile Acquired

by Iluka Resources:
Australian company Iluka
Resources acquired Sierra
Rutile Limited for
approximately A$375
million (£215 million).
Reference However, post-
acquisition investigations
revealed allegations of
corruption involving
Sierra Rutile's former
chief executive, John
Sisay, who was accused
of approving bribe
payments to senior
government officials to
secure mining licenses
Reference. In 2022, Iluka
Resources demerged its
Sierra Rutile operations,
resulting in Sierra Rutile
Holdings Limited
becoming an independent
entity listed on the
Australian Securities
Exchange Reference
China Kingho Group's
Investment in Iron Ore
Mining: China Kingho
Group, a privately-owned
Chinese energy company,
signed a $6.5 billion
agreement with the
Government of Sierra
Leone to develop iron ore
mining projects in the
country. Reference The
investment plan
encompassed the
construction of a port, a
mine, a power plant, and a
250-kilometer railway to
facilitate the
transportation of extracted
iron ore. Reference
Despite initial optimism,
the project faced delays
and challenges, with the
Sierra Leonean
government handing over
the operations of the
Tonkolili Iron Ore Mine
to Kingho Mining
Company, a subsidiary of
China Kingho Group.
Reference

partnership between
Sierra Leone and
SMHL: In 2016, the
Government of Sierra
Leone entered into a
Large-Scale Mining
Licence Agreement with
Sierra Mineral Holdings I
Limited (SMHL), a
subsidiary of the Chinese
company Shandong
Weiqiao Pioneering
Group Co., Ltd. This
agreement granted SMHL
the rights to mine bauxite
in the Moyamba District,
with the extracted bauxite
primarily exported to
China for aluminum
production.
Parliament of Sierra
Leone
SMHL's operations in the
Moyamba District have
been significant, with the
company holding a
mining lease of 321.7 km²
along the same belt as the
world-renowned Guinea
bauxite deposit. This
 strategic location has
enabled SMHL to become
one of the largest
operational bauxite mines
in Sierra Leone,
contributing substantially
to the country's mining
sector.
Sierra Mineral
Disposal site 1980: Opening of the Granville Brook
Granville Brook Dumpsite
disposal site: The site Environmental
located at the estuary of Concerns: Recents calls
Granville Brook Kissy from Granville Brook city
and a bustling hub in councils and Numerous
Freetown City started NGos highlighted the
operating in the late environmental and health
1980s. Down the valley of hazards at the Granville
the estuary, on both sides Brook dumpsite in
along the Granville Bay is Freetown. The site,
the Racecourse Culvert lacking proper waste
residential slum. It is one management practices,
of the largest and poorest became a repository for
slums in Freetown, various wastes, including
located at the mouth of e-waste, leading to soil
the Freetown River. Some and water contamination.
of the wastes disposed of
in the dumpsite end up in
the rivers, causing health
risk and environmental
disaster like massive
flooding during the rains
to the inhabitants
Reference

2016- Sierra Leone's

Accession to the Basel
Convention
Sierra Leone acceded to
the Basel Convention on
the Control of
Transboundary
Movements of Hazardous
Wastes and Their
Disposal by depositing its
instrument of accession
on November 1, 2016.
United Nations Treaty
Collection
This accession became
effective in 2017, making
Sierra Leone the 185th
Party to the Basel
Convention. The Basel
Convention, adopted in
 1989, and entered into
1992, aims to protect
human health and the
environment against the
adverse effects of
hazardous wastes by
reducing their movement
across borders and
ensuring their
environmentally sound
management. United
Nations Treaty Collection
Sierra Leone’s Ban
Amendment Ratification
(2020): Sierra Leone
ratified the Ban
Amendment to the Basel
Convention on June 15,
2020, which entered into
force on September 13,
2020.
United Nations Treaty
Collection
The Ban Amendment
prohibits the export of
hazardous wastes from
member countries of the
European Union, the
Organisation for
Economic Co-operation
and Development
(OECD), and
Liechtenstein to other
countries, further
strengthening global
efforts to manage
hazardous waste
responsibly. United
Nations Treaty Collection

Pre-extractive extraction Post-extraction

Extraction

Consumption site

Disposal site

Pre-extractive extraction Post-extraction

Extraction
 Consumption site

Disposal site

Green transition

Pre-extractive extraction Post-extraction

Extraction Carbon Offset Establishment of the Gola
Initiatives and Land Rainforest Company–
Rights Concerns (2023): Limited (2013): In 2013, a
Kevin Godlington's carbon credit project was
company, Carbon Done launched in Sierra Leone's
Right, a company in Gola Rainforest to combat
deforestation and provide
sierra leone initiated
sustainable livelihoods for
projects to replant
forest-dependent
rainforests in Sierra communities. The 30-year
Leone, aiming to offer initiative operates under
reliable carbon offsetting the UN-backed REDD+
credits. However, framework, enabling
concerns over land rights entities to purchase carbon
and transparency have credits to offset emissions
emerged, with local in line with the Paris
authorities and Agreement. In return,
landowners expressing communities receive
confusion and wariness financial incentives for
due to past negative conservation efforts. The
project is a collaboration
experiences with foreign
between the Royal Society
investors. The Times
for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB), the Conservation
Society of Sierra Leone
(CSSL), and the Sierra
Leonean government.
Their joint venture, the
Gola Rainforest Company
(GRC-LG), sells carbon
credits and supports forest-
edge communities in
implementing
conservation measures.
Mongabay News

Consumption site

Disposal site Sierra Leone’s

Commitment to the
 Minamata Convention
(2014): In 2014, Sierra
Leone signed the
Minamata Convention on
Mercury, committing to
global efforts to reduce
mercury emissions. By
2016, the country had
ratified the convention,
solidifying its pledge to
control mercury use in
sectors such as artisanal
gold and diamond mining
(conservation.org).
Development of the
National Action Plan
(2017): Sierra Leone
launched the Minamata
Initial Assessment (MIA)
in 2017 to evaluate
mercury sources, with a
particular focus on
artisanal and small-scale
gold mining. This led to
the creation of a National
Action Plan by 2019 to
reduce mercury use in
mining, highlighting
sustainable practices and
community health
protection
(minamataconvention.org).

Doc File:

Pre-extractive extraction Post-extraction

Extraction Bagla Hills Iron Ore Enactment of New Land
Controversy (2010): The and Climate Laws
Bagla Hills in eastern (2022): Sierra Leone's
Sierra Leone, rich in iron President Bo signed
ore, became a contentious groundbreaking bills that
site between developers transform communities'
and conservationists ability to protect their
(reference). Initial land rights, marking a
assessments by significant shift towards
Bethlehem Steel in the recognizing and
1970s identified safeguarding communal
significant magnetite and land ownership. Namati
hematite reserves
(Reference). By 2010,
controversies arose when
mining leases were
allegedly obtained by
developers despite the
area's inclusion in the
 Gola Rainforest National
Park (reference). The
Sierra Leonean
government declared the
site off-limits for mining,
emphasizing its ecological
importance, including
being home to endangered
species (Reference).
Addax Bioenergy
Project's Impact on
Mabilafu (2010): The
Addax Bioenergy Project,
involved the acquisition
of 54,000 hectares in
Mabilafu to produce
biofuel from irrigated
sugarcane. Reference This
development limited
access to land and
resources essential for the
community's subsistence-
oriented livelihoods.
While landowners
received modest annual
leases, acknowledgment
payments, and one-time
compensation for lost
assets, such as crops and
economic trees, these
measures have not fully
mitigated the impact on
local livelihoods.
Reference
Koidu Diamond Mine
Lawsuit (2019): Seventy-
three residents from
Gbense and Tankoro
Chiefdoms filed a class-
action lawsuit against
BSG Resources and
related companies. The
suit claims damages for
the degradation or
destruction of land,
destruction of homes, loss
of livelihoods, and
dumping of toxic mine
waste.
EarthRights

Consumption site Community Opposition Land Rights Legislation

to Diamond Mining (2022): Sierra Leone's
Operations (2016): parliament passed new
Residents in Koidu laws aimed at boosting
 opposed diamond mining the rights of rural
operations linked to landowners and women
offshore shell companies, against land grabs. These
citing environmental laws require companies to
degradation and lack of obtain the express consent
benefits to the local of local communities
community. The before initiating mining
community's resistance activities, marking a
highlights ongoing significant shift towards
tensions between local recognizing and
populations and foreign safeguarding communal
mining interests. land ownership.
Panama Papers Reuters

John Obey Beach Mining Community Protests in

(2012): In 2012, John Freetown (2019): In 2019,
Obey Beach in Sierra residents of Freetown,
Leone experienced a Sierra Leone, organized
surge in unregulated sand protests against
mining, leading to unregulated sand mining
significant environmental activities that were
degradation and causing significant coastal
community concerns. The erosion and threatening
demand for sand, driven local livelihoods. The
by construction needs in demand for sand for
Freetown and neighboring construction purposes led
regions, attracted to round-the-clock mining
numerous trucks to the on beaches near the
beach daily, employing capital, resulting in
local youths to extract environmental
sand without proper degradation and property
permits. destruction.
The Ecologist Sewa News

Disposal site Community

Engagement Around
Lake Sonfon (2024): The
Conservation Society of
Sierra Leone (CSSL) has
been working with
communities around Lake
Sonfon to address the
negative consequences of
mining. CSSL distributed
seeds for various
vegetables, such as
carrots, corn, cucumbers,
and tomatoes, along with
gardening tools. They
collaborated with the
Crop Division of the
Ministry of Agriculture to
train Community
Management Associations
 (CMAs) on effective
farming techniques,
aiming to enhance
agricultural productivity
and provide sustainable
income sources.
CS-SL

Project review 2

Pre-extractive extraction Post-extraction

Extraction
Formation of the Ebola Outbreak
National Halts Mining
Diamond Mining Operations
Corporation (2014)
(NDMC) (1970) The Ebola
By 1970, the outbreak in Sierra
Sierra Leone Leone in 2014 had
government a significant
partnered with impact on the
foreign firms to mining sector,
establish the disrupting the
National Diamond supply of minerals
Mining Corporation to international
(NDMC), tasked markets. The
with exploiting the global supply
country’s diamond chain for
resources The diamonds, gold,
NDMC’s focus was and iron ore was
not only to temporarily
increase the local interrupted, and
economic mining operations
contribution of were halted as
mining but also to both local and
meet the foreign workers
expanding were affected by
international the crisis. This
consumer demand highlighted the
for diamonds. With interconnectednes
the increasing s of Sierra Leone’s
demand for extractive
diamonds in the industries with
global market, global consumer
particularly in the markets. As
United States and mining operations
Europe, Sierra resumed, it
Leone's extractive became clear how
activities heavily the local
flourished, serving economy relied on
 both the local foreign investment
economy and and consumer
foreign markets. demand for
This period minerals.
witnessed a Reference
significant
expansion of both
large-scale and
artisanal mining,
highlighting the
nation's increasing
dependency on
resource
extraction tied to
consumer needs
abroad. Reference

Consumption site London Mining WoME's

Starts Iron Ore Advocacy
Production Against Mining
(2012) Impacts (2013):
London Mining, Women impacted
another British by mining in Sierra
company, began Leone united
producing iron ore under the WoME
in Sierra Leone in (Women on Mining
2012. This and Extractives)
expansion aimed network. It has
to capitalize on the fought back
growing demand against the
for iron ore, detrimental effects
particularly in of mining on their
China, which had lives and
become a major communities.
consumer of Through WoME,
mineral resources. women can share
The large-scale experiences, build
production of iron collective political
ore from Sierra positions, and
Leone was advocate for their
intended to meet rights. They
the rising global emphasize that
demand for steel women and their
and related communities
products, again should have the
connecting Sierra right to reject
Leone’s extractive mining
practices with development on
international their lands or, if
consumer they agree, to
markets. As global benefit fairly from
demand for the revenues
infrastructure and generated,
industrial products ensuring that their
grew, the impact voices are heard in
on Sierra Leone’s the decision-
environment and making process.
communities Reference
became more
pronounced, with
foreign companies
extracting
resources
Reference

Sierra Rutile
Expands
Titanium Dioxide
Production
(2015)
Sierra Rutile, a
major producer of
titanium dioxide,
expanded its
operations in 2015
to meet the
growing global
demand for the
compound, which
is used in a range
of consumer goods
such as paints,
cosmetics, and
food coloring. The
expansion was
driven by global
consumer
markets, which
sought to increase
production of
these everyday
goods. This
marked another
phase in Sierra
Leone’s extractive
industry, where
the demand for
titanium dioxide
products was
 fueled by
consumerism in
developed
countries. The
expansion of
titanium mining
also raised
concerns about
environmental
sustainability and
the long-term
impact of
extraction on
Sierra Leone's
ecosystems.
Reference

Disposal site

Project 3

Pre-extractive extraction Post-extraction

Extraction 2013 Harnessing HRDN-SL
Alternative Defending
Livelihood Skills Human Rights in
in Konakridee: Sierra Leone:
The UNDP's The Human Rights
Coastal Risk Defenders
Project in Network – Sierra
Konakridee Leone (HRDN-SL)
focused on is a coalition of
building civil society
community organizations and
resilience through individuals
alternative dedicated to
livelihoods. promoting and
Training was protecting human
provided in skills rights in Sierra
such as gara tie- Leone. Established
dyeing, fish in 2011 and
processing, waste registered in 2013,
management, and HRDN-SL operates
recycling. These as a local chapter
efforts aimed to of the Pan African
diversify income and West African
sources and Human Rights
reduce Defenders
vulnerability to Networks. The
 climate-related Network engages
risks. Reference in research,
advocacy,
education, and
litigation to
support human
rights defenders.
With 25 member
organizations,
HRDN-SL aims to
strengthen human
rights protection
across the country.
Reference

Consumption site 2014- Campaign 2022- Amnesty

Against AML: Highlights
Wearerestless Community
launched a Impact of Meya
campaign against Mining
the exploitation of Operations:
Sierra Leone by Amnesty
British mining Internationals'
companies, report Sierra
particularly African Leone: No
Minerals and diamond is worth
London Mining. the life of a
The campaign community
highlighted the highlighted issues
severe economic faced by the
and social impact community
of these neighbouring
companies' diamond firm
operations, Meya Mining's.
including tax Residents endured
evasion, land forced evacuations
grabbing, and and water
fueling child pollution, with
prostitution. It also nitrate levels in
called for water samples
corporate social exceeding WHO
responsibility and safety standards.
fair taxation, The temporary
urging these shelters provided
companies to were inadequate
support the and poorly
country’s maintained.
development, Amnesty's
especially during investigation
 the Ebola crisis, to called on Sierra
alleviate poverty Leonean
and improve public authorities and
services like Meya Mining to
education and work with local
healthcare. communities to
Reference address and
mitigate these
issues effectively.
Reference

Disposal site

Project 1

Pre-extractive extraction Post-extraction

Extraction Discovery of Chromite
(1960s): Chromite, a key
mineral for ferrochrome
production, was
discovered in Sierra
Leone in the 1960s.
Deposits are primarily
located in the southern
and eastern parts of the
country, but exploration
and mining activities have
been limited. Despite
being an important
resource for the steel
industry, Sierra Leone has
not become a major
global producer of
chromite (Reference). In
the 1970s, there
was an attempt by
foreign investors
to scale up
chromite mining.
The industry,
however, never
developed beyond
small-scale
operations due to
limited
infrastructure and
the emergence of
other lucrative
mining sectors like
rutile and
diamonds. As Sierra
Leone's economy became
more focused on diamond
mining, chromite
extraction declined during
the 1980s and 1990s.
Limited government and
foreign interest led to the
gradual closure of many
chromite mining
operations.
Sierra Leone Ministry of
Mines and Mineral
Resources

Discovery of Lignite and

Coal (1950s - 1970s)
Lignite deposits were
discovered in Sierra
Leone in the 1950s, with
significant reserves
located in the Tonkolili
District. However, coal
mining in Sierra Leone
did not develop into a
major industry, with
exploration and
production remaining
limited. Efforts in the
1970s to establish coal as
a significant energy
resource have not yet
resulted in large-scale
commercial exploitation
(References). The Sierra
Leone Mining Company
explored these resources
but did not immediately
develop them into a full-
scale industry.
Sierra Leone National
Minerals Agency In the
early 2000s, Sierra Leone
sought to revive its coal
industry, but efforts
remained limited due to a
lack of substantial foreign
investment. Chinese
companies expressed
interest in coal
exploration for potential
power plants, but no
significant development
has taken place yet.
Sierra Leone Ministry of
 Mines and Mineral
Resources

Discovery of Kyanite
(1980s - 1990s)
Kyanite, used in ceramics
and refractories, was
discovered in Sierra
Leone in the 1980s, with
deposits found in the
southern region of the
country, especially around
Bo and Kenema. While
not a major mineral
export, kyanite has
attracted interest from
niche markets. Mining
operations for this mineral
grew in the 1990s
(References).
Discovery of Zircon
(1950s - 1990s)
Zircon, found alongside
rutile, was discovered in
Sierra Leone in the 1950s,
with deposits primarily
located in the Western
Area and along the
southern coast. Sierra
Rutile Ltd. began
extracting zircon in the
1990s, although the
commercial scale of
production remains
smaller than that of rutile.
Zircon extraction
continues to form part of
Sierra Leone’s mineral
export economy
(Refrences).
Consumption site Small-Scale Extraction
of Kyanite (1990s):
In the 1990s, small-scale
mining of kyanite began,
with local miners and
foreign companies
involved. Sierra Rutile
Ltd., already active in the
region, also carried out
limited extraction of
kyanite, but it was always
a secondary focus
compared to rutile and
zircon.
References
 Kyanite extraction
continues on a small scale
in Sierra Leone, mainly
by artisanal miners, and
remains overshadowed by
the dominant industries of
rutile and diamonds.
Limited commercial
extraction has kept the
industry small.
Sierra Leone Geological
Survey

Commercial Extraction
of Zircon by Sierra
Rutile Ltd (1990):
Sierra Rutile Ltd. started
extracting zircon
alongside rutile and
ilmenite from areas like
the Bonthe District in the
1990s. The extraction of
zircon became more
significant as global
demand for the mineral
surged, with much of it
directed toward the
ceramics industry.
Reference By the early
2000s, the global demand
for zircon expanded, and
Sierra Rutile Ltd.
increased its extraction.
Despite challenges in
infrastructure, the
company remained one of
Sierra Leone’s key zircon
producers.

Disposal site