FG Gold mining site
Workers at the FG Gold mining facility in Sierra Leone have expressed their dissatisfaction, urging the government to intervene and help them negotiate better working conditions with the company’s management. In an interview with the Gleaner Newspaper, miners described their working conditions as similar to modern-day slavery, with long hours without adequate compensation or basic amenities.
One miner, who requested anonymity, stated that the company initially made numerous promises about their working conditions. However, the workers’ reality changed dramatically over time. “We see what foreign workers enjoy while we receive a pittance in salary, no medical or housing allowances, and are subjected to inhumane treatment,” he lamented.
The miners, particularly those from Baomahun Village and Valunia Chiefdom in the Bo District, have exposed FG Gold management’s concerning pattern of mistreatment.
They accuse the company of violating the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2022, specifically Part XIX, which outlines the company’s obligations to provide safe working conditions and protect its employees’ rights. Workers have described their treatment as “downgrading and inhumane,” with many pointing out that their wages are significantly lower than national standards.
The miners’ primary concern is a lack of essential safety measures at work sites. Many workers must make the difficult decision between purchasing safety equipment and risking their health and safety on the job. This alarming situation raises serious concerns about working conditions at one of Africa’s most important gold development projects.
In response to the allegations, FG Gold’s legal representative stated that all employees are provided with appropriate safety equipment for their roles, such as safety helmets, goggles, boots, and shirts. Additional safety equipment, such as gloves and raincoats, are provided at the company’s expense to those in specific categories. Furthermore, FG Gold stated that it is meeting its financial obligations to the Community Development Fund, as outlined in the Community Development Agreement with local communities. The company reiterated its commitment to contributing 1% of royalties to the fund once production begins, which is expected in late 2026.
The Baomahun Gold Project covers 124.27 km² and has a JORC-certified resource of 5.81 million ounces of gold, making it Sierra Leone’s first large-scale commercial gold mine. Despite the project’s vast potential and the wealth it could generate, the treatment of local workers has overshadowed its achievements and raised pressing questions about labour practices in the mining sector.
As the situation unfolds, local miners demand justice and better working conditions, hoping their plight will not be overlooked. The next edition will provide more information about this developing story.
