London Mining targets Educational Sector in Sierra Leone
On 22nd, May, 2010, students of the Institute of Public Administrations and Management (IPAM) paid a courtesy call to London Mining Company’s mining site situated at Lunsar. Students from the various departments totaling 96 in number toured the site. The students came from various fields of study including Geology, Finance and Administration, Infrastructure and Engineering, and Business Administration.
In relation to the controversial issues raised by pseudo-civil society organizations, these students decided to take it upon themselves in the interest of seeing the practical side of their fields and to set their hearts disturbed by the storm raised to rest.Â
Arriving by bus, the mood was anticipatory and excitement and curiosity crackled in the air as the students were introduced. Michael Stanley a student of Business Administration said that one of the modules studied is International Business and he views London Mining Company as a big international company, big enough to learn from.
Students actively taking notes on their visit to London Mining Company
London Mining Company is a legally registered company subsidiary of London Mining PLC with global interests in the iron ore industry. Through their hard work and accountability, they have managed to achieve most of their objectives albeit at various stages concluding in May, 2009 with Cabinet Approval in December 2009 and the unanimous ratification by Parliament in February 2010 of the London Mining Lease Agreement.
This has paved the way for London Mining Company with the support of its parent company, to accelerate its construction activities including the commencement of export of iron ore from Sierra Leone in the first quarter of 2011 well before the 18 months stipulated in the Mining Lease Agreement (MLA). This will enable the company to carry out the production of 1.5 tonnes of iron ore per annum from existing tailings within 12-18 months. The production level will triple in succeeding years and by 2011 it is the intention of LMC to produce 10 million tonnes of ore which will lead to primary ore production. As a result of these achievements, the country’s former breadbasket (DELCO MINES) has regained its footstool in enhancing both national and economic development, providing significant employment, developing local business, generating revenues to government through tax contributions and foreign exchange earnings.
- Students attending the London Mining educational programme
LMC has also undertaken the job of renovating the Pepel Court Barray, the Lunsar Health Center, undertaking crop compensations based on crop assessment processes involving the impacted community. They have also repaired deteriorated roads in the Lunsar Township, provided mobile machinery for community sanitary needs, assisted schools, hospitals, individuals and a whole lot more than what most others fluctuate from doing.
London Mining Company is on the verge of completing an 18.5km haul road from Mammy Nancy to Tawfayim where construction works are already in progress for its barge loading facility on the Port Loko Creek. A considerable achievement and development it is indeed, as indigenes of this community have never plied a route from this region due to its inaccessibility, but with the intervention of LMC, they can now easily transport goods either by road or through the river which was then the only means of access.
In addition, the rehabilitation of the Delco quarters is on-going and within the next three months, the Administrative Block will be ready for use.
Indeed looking at these difficulties, LMC must indeed be commended for a job well done, a step taken in reality which others only dreamt of in fantasy. Looking at all these achievements and developments these students, leaders of tomorrow, our future, felt that business with London Mining Company indeed spoke of goodwill and “looks very positive for the country.â€
“I’ve never seen such development as I grew up around chaos created by war. It looks quite impressive and I would love the opportunity to help contribute in the future towards such development for a better Sierra Leoneâ€, Manley concluded.
London Mining Company is expected to operate in Sierra Leone for a minimum of 30 years.
Shown the running of the mining site, operated by professional people the students marveled at the cost of running such a mining site that is well equipped with all necessary and more expected equipment, and also with the lack of electricity and other. Indeed LMC must be commended for their effort, the students stressed.
Actually, the cost is expected to run higher as more equipment is expected to arrive during the next six months, including a permanent mega power plant 3-11 megawatts running on diesel fuel.
Speaking to Sierra Express Media, the able Public Relations Officer Ms. Josephine Saidu maintained that LMC takes their corporate social responsibility seriously and most especially, they comply under the Mining Act.
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