AML operations not affected
The largest iron ore miner in Sierra Leone, African Minerals Limited (AML), has said in a statement that despite recent various media reports regarding the outbreak of the Ebola disease, its activities are not affected in any way.
In a statement released on its website in London on June 5, the company confirms that its operations and workforce at the Tonkolili integrated mine, rail, port and marine remain unaffected.
“The health and safety of our staff and contractors is of paramount importance”, it says.
Meanwhile, the company had already implemented various procedures and initiatives to safeguard its operations and workforce, prior to the confirmation of Ebola cases in Sierra Leone.
“The risk level remains at its lowest ‘green’ ranking, and AML has prepared comprehensive contingency plans for all operations and employees, in the event that this risk level changes, to allow our operations to continue unaffected”, the release reads.
It also assures of its continued compliance with all World Health Organisation recommendations and that it is continuously communicating with all appropriate international and governmental organisations.
AML notes that neither the Foreign and Commonwealth Office nor the World Health Organisation has advised of any travel restrictions to Sierra Leone and international commercial and carrier airlines continue to operate with unchanged schedules to and from Freetown.
“The Tonkolili operations are over 200km from the remote affected area around Kailahun, which lies on the eastern border between Sierra Leone and Liberia”, it assures but states that its transport to and from the affected areas has been suspended.
Based on information received from government organisations, the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the World Health Organisation continues to control and monitor the affected areas, in which Ebola is being contained.
The Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and all senior staff continue to travel as normal to and from the operations.
African Minerals operates the multi billion dollars Tonkolili Iron Ore Project in northern Sierra Leone which is being developed in a number of staged expansions.
The Company has also developed significant port and rail infrastructure to support the operation of the Project, via its subsidiary African Rail and Port Services (SL) Limited in which the Government of Sierra Leone has a 10% free carried interest.
Tanu Jalloh, AML
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2014, https:. All rights reserved.
