By: Richmond B Tholley

Leone Rock Metal Group is one of the largest resource investment companies in West Africa. 
The asset encompasses an open pit Iron Ore mine and surface operations located in Ferengbeya, Tonkolili and a 192 KM Railway and an integrated train discharge, ore processing and ship loading Port located in Pepel, Northwest Sierra Leone.

The company acquired the Tonkolili mines in January 2020, with proven reserves of 13.8 billion tons. So far, Kingho Mining Company has obtained a total of 18.8 billion tons of proven iron ore reserves and prospective 30 billion + tons of Iron Ore Resource upon further exploration.

In Tonkolili District and across Sierra Leone, Leone Rock has embarked on a plethora of developmental projects that have impacted communities. The company has supported a number of projects in agriculture, education, women and youth empowerment, sports and Health.

Though the Chiefdoms that host the company have benefitted greatly from the developments mentioned above, there seems to be a strained relationship recently between Leone Rock and the Chiefdoms of Dasogoia, Sambaia, Simiria and Kafe, all in the Northern District of Tonkolili. A cross section of community members especially the youths have not been pleased with the state of affairs at the Tonkolili Mines. 

Before this time, a day won't pass by without a community member (s)  expressing dissatisfaction, frustration or anger either on WhatsApp or other social media platforms about the operations of Leone Rock. If one does not talk about workers welfare, the other will talk about the poor road network or political interference into the system.

Misinformation, greed, corruption at community level, selfishness, refusing to dialogue and engaging community stakeholders and members were among the factors  responsible for the unfortunate scenario. Community and local leaders lacking accountability and transparency, fake news and using sentiment to recruit workers cannot be unconnected to the above-mentioned factors.

Fortunately, there are recent reforms introduced by Ansu Momoh, the Director of Community Affairs that has changed the narrative. As Director of the Community Affairs Department, Momoh's recent community and stakeholders dialogue and engagements have helped bridge the communication gap that has long existed between the company and the community at large. 

The recent Chiefdom stakeholders engagements and dialogues organized by the Community Affairs Department have given community members the opportunity to ask questions about the too many fake news and rumors on social media.

The recent development was a win for the operational communities and the company. For the company, it has understood the many problems especially the new ones facing its operation and how they would be tackled for a peaceful co-existence. This is because community members and stakeholders were open up to speak their minds what they think sparked the recent uprising at the Mines.

The Community on the other hand, is now enlightened and well informed about a plethora of developmental projects the company is supporting in the communities. At a District multi - stakeholders engagement in Magburaka, the Director of Community Affairs openly stated the position of the company in addressing matters of security in operational communities. The outcome of the  engagements saw a memorandum of understanding between the company and the community. Paramount Chiefs, sub Chiefs and other community stakeholders have all pledged to work together in ensuring the community and the company succeed. The youths who are more using the internet and social media have promised to very information about the operations of the company.

Both parties have agreed to work together for a win-win environment that will benefit all. It is worth noting that all of the reforms were as a result of Ansu Momoh's exemplary leadership as a seasoned administrator and an expert in Community Affairs.
 

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