According to Sierra Leone’s Gazette Vol. CXXXV, No. 2, the Mineral Policy seeks to minimize and mitigate the adverse impacts of mining operations on public health, communities, and the environment. The Government of Sierra Leone ensures that communities affected by mining operations benefit from development programmes funded by the local taxes, fees, and land rents charges imposed on mining operators by the land owners. Initially these monies went into a consolidated fund. Presently, though, a portion of the funds accrued from taxes, licenses, and land rents are allocated to communities for development on a yearly basis; and the remainder of those monies goes into the country’s Ecological Fund. In addition, large mining companies are asked and required to put aside money for rehabilitation of mined-out areas after conclusion of mining activities.
For more information, contact cssl@sierratel.sl