321 Million Metric Tonnes of Bauxite Discovered
Port Loko District, one of the historic districts in the country renowned for its mineral deposit has discovered an additional catch of 321 million tonnes of Bauxite. (Photo:Minister of Mineral Resources and Political Affairs Alpha Kanu)
This came about after the ABG, one of the largest shipping companies in the world in conjunction with SLECOM a Sierra Leone exploration and mining company discovered 321 million metric tones of bauxite in the Port Loko district in northern part of the country, from there extra modern technological satellite called scan point from Indian.
This report was disclosed to pressmen by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Political Affairs Alpha Kanu on Friday 10th June, 2010 at his ministry conference hall Youyi building Freetown.
Speaking to journalists, Mr. Mohamed Alieu Sesay chairman of the SLECOM expressed delight about the revitalization of Bauxite Industry in the country. He noted that many companies have come and gone in the mining of bauxite in the country without making much but that with ABG will make Sierra Leonean to benefit from its natural resources. He continued to express that they will commence mobilization for development as early as July, 2010 export of the product he revealed will be done in two phases.
The first phase early cash flow mining of bauxite for export in first quarter July 2011, phase II he said is the preparation for the installation of an alumina refinery for value addition.
Mr. Sesay expressed that they have contacted the ministry of Labour and employment to provide the company with the man power as 2000 youths will gain employment from them, he added that when the operation starts proper some towns and villages might be demolished but mechanisms has been put in place to build for people who might be affected when the project when stared. He however maintained that SLICOM believed in ABG as the company is a multi million dollar company which will meet to the terms and condition of the government including its social corporate responsibilities. Mr. Sesay said they will execute their social cooperate responsibility from the village, chiefdoms, districts, region and to the country at large.
On his part the minister of mineral resources and political affairs Alpha Kanu expressed that his ministry is pleased to announce the confirmation of the discovery of 321 million metric tones of bauxite in the Port Loko district. He said bauxite exploration has started since the 1970 geological initiative that started with the Alusuisse AG through Bayer Preussay.
He disclosed that the Bullom group of rocks striking North- West from the Sherbro Minerals areas of Mokaiyi through Yoni, Massimera, Maforki, Bureh Kasseh Makoni in the Port Loko district and to Magbema Tonko Limba, Bramiaia and across the border in Guinea. The South-West part of the deposits form around Mokangi where Sierra Ltd have reopened the defunct Sieromco Mines with an annual of about 1.2 million tones in total reserve estimate of 71 million metric tones.
Mr. Kanu further stated that a license was issued to SLECO mining company June, 2009. The company undertakes reconfirmation drilling and trenching to prove the original deposit estimates of 104 million metric tones in partnership with the ABG group of India. The minister noted that both ABG and SLEMCO use satellite imagery technology to authenticate the drill data. The drill data results have proven accurate he therefore recognized the effort of two young geologists who worked alongside their senior counterparts from India for a job well done. There names he said are: Mohamed Kamara and Mustapha Tarawalie.
The minister continued to reveal that ABG will commence mobilization for mine early July 2010. The economic and social impact on the community and the nation in general will be tremendous he noted. Jobs will be created, revenue would be generated and many social programmes such as schools and clinics will be embarked upon, the minister said.
The CEO of ABG group Mr. Arun Phartak expressed commitment on behalf ABG group, to work with government of Sierra Leone, adding that he was moved by the way and manner in which he was received by minister, during his two day stay in the country. He assured that come July 2011 ABG will start it bauxite mining in the country.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2010, https:. All rights reserved.
Gloria
/
I am at a loss, because there seems to be a proliferation of news discovery of minerals that had been discovered long ago. I know for a fact that Sieromco surveyed and mapped the bauxite deposits in the Port Loko area ages ago. Unfortunately the war understandably drove them away.
Now I am hearing of new deposits being announced every other month or so what’s the beef? Enough of such ‘El Dorado’ announcements, give the youths jobs now please
4th July 2010