Report established that Diang Chiefdom has the largest iron ore deposit, in the country, although gold mining happened to be a common practice in the aforementioned chiefdom.
The Paramount Chief of the Diang Chiefdom, Sheku Magba III urged the Blue Horizon exploration company to complete the exploration phase of their work, in order to facilitate the mining aspect of the company, as that could eventually fosters employment in that part of the country.
Sheku Magba III applauded the management of Blue Horizon for their tremendous support throughout the Chiefdom, ‘at this initial stage’ he noted. He admonished the youth to rally round the company, adding that the imminent mining process would benefit both the community and the people of the chiefdom.
The Project Manager-Blu Horizon Exploration Company, Bunton Williams explained the difference between exploration and mining as a way of enhancing better understanding among the chiefdom people of the company current operations. He stated that they have not yet started mining, as their license happened to be an exploration one, pointing out that they are only collecting samples to find the exact location of the mineral.
Bunton Williams stated that the engagement was a healthy one and a way of getting the community stakeholders and land owners to understand, and be part of the process. He reiterated that it only with the support of the people that everything would be successful for the company and the people.
“We are not like those that come at night to smuggle the country’s minerals that is why we are engaging you the stakeholders for us all to be as one, as that is the only way we can bring development to this community.” He stated.
Principal Liaison Officer-Blue Horizon Exploration Company, Francis Foreh Koroma highlighted how the company has been engage in the construction of roads and schools even when they have not yet started mining. He confirmed that the company has spent 13 million dollars ongoing without realizing anything, at the moment.
Koinadugu District Officer, Ajina Mansaray encouraged the people of Diang to embrace the company as he pointed on people that have been attempting to steal the chiefdom minerals. He confirmed that they would enormously support Blue Horizon Exploration Company in their quest to transform the Diang Chiefdom to a better place just as they have started with their operations going through the proper channel.
The people of Diang Chiefdom are optimistic that with the mining of their natural resources it will attract development as well as creating employment for people of that chiefdom.