Massaquoi Calls for Transparency, Accountability in Sierra Leone’s Mining Sector
By Musa Kamara [Intern Reporter, Epic Radio]
Natural Resource Governance expert, Dauda Massaquoi, has called for greater transparency, accountability, and stronger leadership in Sierra Leone’s mining sector.
He made the call on Monday, October 27, 2025, while speaking on the Epic Morning Show on the topic: “Examining the Impact of Mining in Sierra Leone: Safety, Community Benefits, Environmental Protection, and Sustainable Development.”
Massaquoi said the mining sector continues to face numerous challenges, including unsafe practices, poor community engagement, and weak governance. He described as “disturbing” the number of children who have lost their lives due to unregulated mining activities and unsafe water bodies created by those operations. “The mining sector faces many issues, including the deaths of children caused by rivers created through irresponsible and improper mining activities,” Massaquoi said.
He explained that under Sierra Leone’s laws, individuals or companies seeking to mine in any community are required to engage that community before obtaining a license or starting operations. However, he noted that these procedures are often ignored. “There are processes and laws that require anyone intending to start mining in a community or to acquire a license to first engage with the community before approaching the government,” he emphasized.
Massaquoi criticized the current profit-sharing model, describing it as unfair to host communities. He said landowners receive only one percent of the total proceeds from mining operations, an amount he called “ridiculous.” “It is ridiculous that landowners receive only one percent out of one hundred,” he stated, adding that previously, communities received as little as 0.01 percent.
He further explained that the one percent set aside for community development is managed by the government and monitored by civil society organizations, but that transparency and accountability in the use of those funds remain a major concern. “The one percent is meant to be utilized by the community, though issues of accountability and transparency still remain,” he noted.
Massaquoi also clarified that while the one percent for community development is mandatory, corporate social responsibility (CSR) by mining companies is voluntary. “The one percent contribution for community development is mandatory, whereas corporate social responsibility is not,” he said.
He urged authorities to strengthen oversight institutions such as the National Minerals Agency (NMA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which he said have the responsibility to monitor compliance and protect the environment. “Based on our structured system, the NMA or EPA are the best institutions to explain what has happened, as they have their own monitoring mechanisms,” he explained.
The natural resource expert stressed the need for Sierra Leone to take full ownership of its mineral resources, insisting that proper leadership and national control are key to ensuring that mining benefits the country and its people. “We need strong leadership in the mining sector, with genuine transparency and accountability,” he appealed.
“We need ownership of the mining sector someone with full control and responsibility. You gain much more when you mine for yourself compared to when others mine on your behalf. Other countries mine for themselves, and so should we.”
Massaquoi’s remarks have reignited public debate on how the mining industry can better serve the interests of citizens, especially those living in mining communities. His comments have also added to growing calls for reforms that prioritize environmental protection, equitable benefit-sharing and sustainable development.
