Minenet Company (SL) Limited has paid surface rent to landowners of Ribbi, Bumpeh and Kongbora chiefdoms in Moyamba district, in the sum of One Million Four Hundred Thousand New Leone (NLe1,400,000) which is equivalent to One Billion Four Hundred Million old Leones.
Payment was done in all the three chiefdoms on Friday and Saturday 10 -11 January 2025 respectively.
Minenet Company is a limited liability company incorporated and registered in Sierra Leone to inter alia undertake mining and export of Zitcon, Rutile and associates and related businesses of Atlantic Hotel.
In his welcome remarks, Paramount Chief, Alfred Ndomawa Banya said they are happy to get Minenet in their midst. He described Minenet as good and honest people, and all what government told them to do before they start mining has been done by them without missing any.
He expressed hope that when they start mining, they will not change. He also urged NMA to redouble their effort in this chiefdom to ensure that the proper things are done for others.
Observing the payment of the Surface Rent, the National Minerals Agency (NMA) Community Liaison Officer, Charlie A.S. Harvey, confirmed the payment of the three chiefdoms and said it is part of the Minenet Company concessions.
He explained that according to the laws, 70% of the payment goes to the Landowners, 10% to the Paramount Chiefs, the District Council got 10% and 10% for Parliamentarians in those chiefdoms.
He assured that what they gave them was what they agreed on while informing them about the control the Paramount Chiefs have over the trees in the land.
“Only when the company begins to mine before the community can receive the 1% for community development,” he said
Minenet Company Manager, Jian Zhang spoke about a win-win situation between her company and the community. She promised to do what the laws of Sierra Leone say and also called on the community to work in unity for their development.
Minenet Company Consultant, Salam Koroma, explained about the Company and said they are embarking on their first large scale mining concession in Moyamba district.
He disclosed that the payments to Landowners are done in square kilometers not in acres, explaining that because the Landowners don’t specifically know what their acreages are, they hired surveyors to survey their land in their presence and explained to them what each Landowner is entitled to.
Currently, Minenet is working on the roads for easy access before they start full operation in April.
He also spoke about the assessment of farmers crops for which they will be compensated after proper assessment.
“Employment is embedded in the act and the 1% that goes to the community for development purposes. I want to assure the community people of jobs they are qualify for,” he concluded.
Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray, explained about the laws of mining to his audience.
He explained that Minenet made the 2024 payment when they have not even started full scale mining operation because the law asked them to do so, emphasizing that there is no law that talk about price for land but the people can negotiate further.
The Chiefdom Speaker, Nathaniel G. Kangajee chaired the payment ceremony and also made meaningful statements for both the community and the Company.
