Engineer Hadji Dabo, the Director General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA) and Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources, Julius Mattai
Recent revelations have sparked significant concerns regarding the operations of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Minerals Agency (NMA) in Sierra Leone, suggesting that undisclosed agreements with mining companies are being conducted without public knowledge.
The situation came to light following the announcement by an American company, Elektros (OTC PINK: ELEK), which has recently signed a lease agreement for a lithium mining project in the country. On August 22, 2024, Elektros, recognized as an emerging leader in the electric mobility sector, disclosed in a press release that it had entered into a 13-year ground lease for a lithium mine situated in Gbu-bu village, Gawola Town, within the Tinkoko chiefdom of Bo District.
The press statement indicated that the lease aims to initiate lithium mining operations, while also managing a multi-family residential apartment for the labourers involved. Notably, the Ministry of Mines and the NMA did not refute or provide any counter-statement regarding Elektros’ claims, raising eyebrows about the legitimacy of the deal. The press release from Elektros further detailed that the company had already begun preparations at the mining site, with the first shipments of lithium-bearing rock aggregate anticipated to be ready for off-site processing and milling shortly.
This lack of response from the Ministry and the NMA only fueled public speculation about the nature of their dealings with Elektros and other mining entities.
Fast forward to September 23, 2024, Elektros announced that it had commenced the initial shipments of raw lithium aggregate from its Sierra Leone mining site. This milestone was presented as a significant step in the company’s strategic supply chain for lithium, with truckloads of unprocessed lithium aggregate reportedly en route from the southern Sierra Leone site to the city of Bo. From Bo, the material is intended for shipping to the United States for further processing, aligning with Elektros’ mission to meet the surging global demand for lithium in the electric vehicle and energy storage industries.
Shlomo Bleier, the CEO of Elektros, referred to this development as a defining moment for the company, emphasizing their commitment to establishing a reliable supply chain for lithium. He remarked, “The global demand for lithium continues to surge, and we are positioning ourselves to be a key player in this space. By delivering high-quality lithium to the U.S. market, we are furthering our mission to drive the electric mobility revolution, while adhering to the highest standards of sustainability.
In conjunction with the commencement of these shipments, Elektros indicated that it has been actively expanding site preparations at its Southern Sierra Leone lithium mine to increase production capacity in the upcoming months. The company has also implemented robust logistics and transportation systems to facilitate the smooth movement of lithium aggregate from the mine to global markets.
However, the situation took a turn when the Ministry of Mines and the NMA issued a press statement on September 24, 2024, in response to a publication by the Gleaner Newspaper. The Ministry asserted that “No company has shipped lithium out of Sierra Leone,” and the NMA claimed to possess information on all companies exploring lithium within the country, insisting that none had commenced production. Yet, the statement failed to disclose the names of the companies currently exploring lithium in Sierra Leone, leaving many questions unanswered.
The lack of transparency surrounding these mining operations has led to increasing scepticism among Sierra Leoneans. Many citizens are now questioning the legitimacy of the agreements made between the Ministry, the NMA, and Elektros, as well as the overall transparency of the mining sector in the country. One senior citizen raised a pertinent question: “When was the last time the Ministry and NMA updated the public with the names of active mining companies operating in Sierra Leone, and where can the public access such information?
A visit to the NMA’s official website reveals a concerning absence of information regarding active mining companies. While the site provides data on the number of active licenses, applications, expired licenses, and total owners of mining companies, it fails to list the names of active mining companies operating within the country. This lack of accessible information has sparked further inquiries into the operations of the Ministry and the NMA, with citizens demanding greater accountability and transparency in the management of Sierra Leone’s mineral resources.
As the public continues to seek clarity on these clandestine deals, the Ministry of Mines and the NMA face mounting pressure to provide comprehensive information regarding the operations of mining companies in Sierra Leone. The call for transparency is more urgent than ever, as citizens strive to understand the implications of these agreements on their country’s resources and economic future. More details are expected in the next edition, as the public remains vigilant in holding authorities accountable for their actions in the mining sector.
