Government Urged to Grant Mining Licence to Berkeley
Residents of Simiria Chiefdom in Tonkolili District have unanimously endorsed Berkeley Investments Company to undertake large-scale mining operations in the area, intensifying calls on the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Mineral Agency (NMA) to grant the company a mining licence.
The endorsement was made during a four-day community engagement tour by representatives of Berkeley Investments, which included the donation of assorted food items and condiments to mark the Easter and Independence holidays.
The outreach covered six major villages across the Chiefdom, drawing participation from a broad cross-section of stakeholders.
During a series of public meetings, key figures including the Chiefdom Youth Leader, Chairlady, councillors, section chiefs, and local mining coordinators collectively expressed support for the company. Speakers at the engagements highlighted longstanding concerns over the failure of previous mining companies to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities, particularly in the areas of job creation, infrastructure development, and community welfare.
According to residents, past experiences with licensed mining companies have left the Chiefdom with little to show in terms of sustainable development. However, they noted that Berkeley Investments has already distinguished itself through proactive community engagement and visible development initiatives, despite not yet having secured a mining licence.
“For the first time, we are seeing a company that has not even been granted a licence, yet is already providing free internet services, constructing roads, and supporting our people during festive periods,” several community representatives stated during the meetings.
The residents expressed optimism that granting the company a licence would usher in meaningful development, increased employment opportunities, and improved living conditions across the Chiefdom.
Providing insight into the company’s long-term plans, Administrative Manager Mr. Porseh Mama Fornah disclosed that 60 percent of Berkeley Investments’ top management staff are indigenes of Simiria Chiefdom. He described this as a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to local content and inclusive participation.
He further emphasized that the company’s vision goes beyond mineral extraction, revealing plans to establish processing facilities for raw materials within Sierra Leone. This, he said, would promote value addition, boost job creation, and contribute significantly to the national economy.
Mr. Fornah also outlined several proposed corporate social responsibility initiatives, including the installation of solar powered lighting across all six sections of the Chiefdom, the construction of a standard school, the establishment of a healthcare centre, and the provision of other essential social amenities.
Community stakeholders have therefore urged the government and regulatory authorities to expedite the licensing process, arguing that Berkeley Investments has already demonstrated both the capacity and goodwill required to operate responsibly and contribute meaningfully to local and national development.
As demand for mining licences continues to rise across the country, the situation in Simiria Chiefdom highlights the growing importance of community endorsement and corporate accountability in Sierra Leone’s extractive sector.
