Rutile And Kimberlite Mining Groups Call On President Kabbah
By Yusuf Alghali

Representatives of the Koidu Holdings Company (Branch Energy) have briefed President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah about progress made so far in the implementation of their USD 60 million Kimberlite mining project in Kono District, eastern Sierra Leone.

Leader of the two-man delegation Jan Joubert, who called on the President at the Hill Station Lodge, disclosed that Branch Energy had re-commissioned its mining plant and hoped to commence full capacity mining shortly. He said they were proud of the progress made thus far and extended an invitation to the Head of State to visit the mine site to see for himself how operationns were progressing.

However, Mr. Joubert expressed dismay over a recent newspaper report that the mining company was operating outside the parameters of its agreement with the government of Sierra Leone. He indicated that they were very eager to invest more money in Sierra Leone but regretted that bad and unsubstantiated press reports about their activities would send the wrong signals to the outside world.

He said what he expected well-meaning Sierra Leoneans to be doing is to work hard to encourage more investors to come and participate in economic activities to help the country forge ahead by creating employment and fostering productive enterprise.

He went on to reveal that Branch Energy/Koidu Holdings Company was desirous of exploring other mining potentials in the Tongo Fields, adding that they were ready to make a mark in Tongo Fields when all arrangements had been put in place. "We have the capacity to take on any project in Sierra Leone", the mining representative said, pointing to the significance of involving local community stakeholders in all of their activities.

Responding to rumours of security concerns earlier raised by the mining group, President Kabbah assured the investors that there were no existing security concerns and stressed his government's commitment to providing an enabling environment for the smooth operations of the company and other entities in the country.

"You have nothing to worry about…Sierra Leone is safe and open for business," President Kabbah said, while encouraging the company to continue to develop a strong and prosperous partnership with government.

Addressing a delegation from Sierra Rutile Ltd an hour earlier, President Kabbah gave similar assurances regarding the peace and stability already achieved. "Peace is here to stay," he said, emphasising that mechanisms had been instituted to ensure that the stability the country now enjoys continued.

Head of delegation and proprietor of the Sierra Rutile Company Ltd, Mr. Jean-Raymond Boulle, in his brief update informed President Kabbah that everything was on course towards resuming full mining operations, but noted that some paper work still remained to be done ahead of June 2004, when they hope to begin to operate full steam.

Already, Mr. Boulle said there are some three hundred people working in the rutile mines adding with delight that the company had also paid off all its debts. He further indicated that all the requisite marketing arrangements were now being negotiated with their Australian partners to ensure an uninterrupted supply of Sierra Leone's rare high-grade rutile ore.