Dear Friends,

I am pleased to welcome you to the updated Website of the Ministry of Mineral Resources in Sierra Leone, designed to inform stakeholders about the mining and minerals sector in the country.

You will now see a much broader range of information on the Site, more attractively presented and more user friendly. The Home Page draws attention to some of the most important initiatives currently being addressed by the Ministry and its partners. Two initiatives in particular are:

• the recently launched review by Government of all mineral rights and mining agreements, in order to secure optimal benefits to the country from the exploitation of its mineral resources;

• the Presidential Workshop on Minerals Sector Reform, led by H.E. the President himself, which represents the most ambitious and visible effort to date in addressing key issues facing the sector.

We also draw attention to efforts being made to ensure local communities benefit more from the allocation of revenue from diamond mining, steps to rebuild the relationship between Koidu Holdings and the community, and Sierra Leone's commitment to transparency through the Kimberley Process. Each of these initiatives will have profound significance on the development of the sector.

We also provide basic information about the country's geology and minerals potential, key laws and regulations, and recent company exploration activity. There is even an African perspective on recent sector trends.

At this critical time for the sector's development, this Website reflects the Ministry’s commitment to sharing information with all of its stakeholder partners. In that spirit, let me emphasise how much we value your feedback about the new Site. Do tell us what you think, and stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Alhaji Alpha Saahid Bakarr Kanu
Minister of Mineral Resources