Lunsar, November 3, 2026- The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has engaged the management and workers of Marampa Mines Limited, amid the company’s ongoing restructuring process, assuring affected employees that the Ministry will ensure their rights and interests are protected in accordance with the Employment Act, 2023.
The engagement, held at the company’s premises, brought together representatives of the Ministry, the National Minerals Agency (NMA), Marampa Mines management, Union Representatives,and workers to discuss the restructuring process and its implications for employees.
Welcoming the Minister,and his delegation, a the CEO of Marampa Mines Holding, Paul Lombard expressed appreciation for the visit, particularly during what he described as a challenging period for the company and its workforce.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to restarting operations as a stronger and more sustainable business, highlighting improvements achieved under the Marampa Reset Programme in production performance, plant recovery and operational discipline.
He explained that rising international freight rates, increased fuel costs and challenging global iron ore market conditions had placed considerable pressure on the business, necessitating restructuring measures to reduce operating costs and establish a more competitive foundation for future operations.
He further noted that the company had commenced the restructuring with expatriate positions to achieve a better balance between expatriate and national employees. He added that future operations would prioritise national career progression, skills transfer and leadership development, creating more opportunities for Sierra Leoneans.
Furthermore, he also commended workers for remaining calm and constructive throughout the process, assuring them that the company remained committed to fairness, transparency and engagement as it navigates this process.
Speaking on behalf of the workers’ union, Mohamed Kabia thanked the Minister and his delegation for visiting and engaging with employees during the difficult period.
Representing the National Minerals Agency, Ibrahim Sattie Kamara apologised for the absence of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, assuring the gathering that he fully supported the process.
He commended workers for maintaining calm, noting that the situation was a concern to all stakeholders, particularly the Government, given the importance of the mining sector to the national economy.
He acknowledged that the Government had made efforts to prevent the situation from reaching its current stage but explained that some of the challenges highlighted by the company were beyond its control.
He assured workers that the relevant authorities would continue working with the company and its partners, expressing optimism that the current situation was not the end of the road for Marampa Mines.
In his remarks, Minister Koroma thanked the management for facilitating the engagement, describing it as his first visit outside Freetown in connection with workers’ issues since assuming office.
He acknowledged the difficult circumstances facing employees, noting that global economic developments had placed considerable pressure on businesses and contributed to the challenges confronting the company.
The Minister explained that provisions for redundancy were incorporated into the Employment Act, 2023, in recognition of the possibility of such situations arising. He stressed that the Ministry had a responsibility to ensure that employer-employee relations were managed in accordance with the law.
He disclosed that he had directed his staff to ensure that the rights and interests of affected workers were protected throughout the process. He also commended employees for maintaining calm and exercising patience.
Minister Koroma further revealed that Marampa Mines had assured him that all outstanding matters relating to the restructuring would be addressed by the end of November, in accordance with the law, and that every affected employee would receive their rightful entitlements.
He assured workers that the Ministry would closely monitor the process to ensure the company fulfilled its commitments.
He reminded employees that Marampa Mines remained an important national asset belonging to Sierra Leoneans, encouraging them to remain hopeful and patient, while noting that opportunities could arise for some to return when operations resume.
During the engagement, workers also appealed to management to ensure that future employees receive fair treatment and are given opportunities to make meaningful contributions they can be proud of throughout their service.
The engagement reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry, the National Minerals Agency and Marampa Mines management to continued collaboration in ensuring that the restructuring process is conducted fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law, with the welfare of affected workers remaining a priority.
Communications Unit
MELSS
