Also, the payment came as a surprise to the beneficiaries in the various chiefdoms as it happens at a time when the product the company is trading on has drastically lost its financial value in the world market.

Shandong Steel has not only survived the consequences of the deadly Ebola virus but was able to pay salaries to its workers for over two years even though no work was being done.

The surface rent payment was done on Wednesday in the Port Loko and Bombali districts respectively, while the Tonkolili district payment was done on Thursday, all in the presence of paramount chiefs, section chiefs, district council authorities, officials from the National Minerals Agencies, representatives from the police force and several other stakeholders.

Gibril Fadika, Senior Community Relations Superintendent Shandong Steel said the company was committed to its responsibility no matter the difficulties.

He also called on the community people to continue to support their activities, as according to him, things will only get better soon.

He narrated the ordeal President Koroma and Moseray Fadika went through to save the Tonkolili project from succumbing to the Ebola disaster and the fall in iron ore price.

Neima Macfoy, Head of Policy, Community and Social Relations Department and the National Minerals Agency representative explained to the beneficiaries how the money would be shared according to the law.

They said fifty percent goes to the land owners, fifteen percent to the paramount chiefs, fifteen percent to the councils, ten percent to the chiefdom and ten percent to constituency development fund.

The cheques were presented by Neima Macfoy.

This payment is coming at a time when mining companies across the country are folding up operation because they could not stand the Ebola hit.

Vice Chairman of the company, Moseray Fadika is being hailed for being able to sustain this project that could have left thousands jobless.