Hon Saa Emerson Lamina says he admires a goal mining company in the country.

The MP is a high ranking Member of Parliament, representing the people of Kono District.

He is the Deputy Leader of Government Business Two and Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Mines and Mineral Resources. He said FG Gold Company’s pattern of mining in Baomahun Village, Valunia Chiefdom, Bo District should be a model for all modern-day miners and investors working in Sierra Leone.

Hon. Lamina was speaking to Parliamentary Journalists on Friday 15th  November, 2024 ahead of the publishing of his committee’s findings following a site visit at the company’s operations area and followed by a torrent of negative media reports.

“Chief Oliver Andrews, Executive Chairman FG Gold mining pattern should be a model for all modern-day miners in the country. The reason is that it is the role of the miner or investor to make a profit. It is also the role of MPs to work in the interest of the state and community, he said.”

Another reason for Chief Oliver Andrew’s company to be considered a model is that he has not got a dime of gold yet but his company has embarked on corporate social responsibility.

Hon. Lamina highlighted Sections 143 and 144 of the Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2022 which makes it clear that mining companies are obliged to give at least one percent to the people as a Community Development Agreement upon commencement of production.

“FG Gold is yet to be qualified to reach the stage of awarding corporate social responsibility but yet they have built a school in Valunia Chiefdom Bo District.

Chief Andrew and his team have embarked on solarization of major communities in that particular place, and seventy percent of his workers are locals. This alone should be admired Hon. Lamina said.

He added: “Whilst we look forward to a parade of mining companies exploring gold, Oliver’s company should be commended.”

It will surprise you that FG Gold is the first company to embark on large-scale gold mining in the country. Gold was mined on an artisanal basis (using tray and calabash). They are the first large-scale gold mining company, and that alone is a pacesetter and a motivation.

They should be commended for having embarked on being the first license holder to engage in large-scale gold mining. FG Gold should be commended on that basis. “That is why I am saying, to international and national investors inland, Dr. Oliver Andrew’s pattern of mining should be admired by modern-day miners and it should be the model.”

A detailed press conference has been slated for next week featuring the full composition of members of the Committee to highlight major findings in their report and compare and contrast it with negative publications of grave claims such as inhumane treatment of miners in Baomahun Village, Valunia Chiefdom, Bo District,  lack of compliance to provisions of the Mines and Mineral Development Act, 2022,  improper employment and pay conditions of staff, working with a private subsidiary company on its operation at the said 124.27 km mining site, mining lithium and other minerals outside of their mining lease agreement (MLA),  impoverished condition of living of locals, hostile treatment of locals by so-called foreign experts, delay in the commencement of full-scale production, not implementing the provision of the CDA on road rehabilitation, polluting water and streams used  for agricultural sustenance, and stonewalling of the media to get at the bottom of the allegations against the company.

FG Gold is a privately owned exploration and gold development company that says it is committed to developing world-class projects across Africa.

Their mission is to unlock the potential of this largely untapped region, delivering sustainable long-term growth for all stakeholders, employees, and communities. The company prides itself on being the first commercial gold project developing an emerging gold jurisdiction, operated, built, and funded by African people for the African people.