By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Mines and Mineral Resources has suspended all mining activities on the concession operated by JM Mining Company pending a comprehensive investigation into the company’s licence, investment and the reported granting of mineral rights in the same area to another mining company.
The decision was taken during a committee hearing chaired by Hon. Emerson Lamina following a petition and appeal by JM Mining, which told lawmakers that it had invested approximately US$20 million over nine years in exploration activities in the Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District.
Chief Executive Officer of JM Mining, Dr. Gerry Kampschoes, appealed to Parliament to intervene and allow the company to continue its operations after its offer of a large-scale mining licence was reportedly withdrawn by the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources.
Dr. Kampschoes said the company had developed its exploration programme from the grassroots, built a team of Sierra Leonean professionals and identified primary gold resources in an area where gold deposits were previously not known.
He disclosed that JM Mining was prepared to invest between US$175 million and US$275 million to develop what he described as Sierra Leone’s first major green mine.
According to him, the company initially failed to pay the required licence fee after entering into discussions with the Ministry of Finance over a proposed joint venture with the Government of Sierra Leone. He said the proposed arrangement would have allowed the state to acquire a significant interest in the mining project.
Dr. Kampschoes said the proposed joint venture subsequently collapsed, prompting the company to seek alternative financiers. He told the committee that by January 2026, JM Mining had secured financing and formally informed the Ministry of Mines that it was ready to proceed with the investment.
However, he said the company later received a letter informing it that its offer of a mining licence had been withdrawn because of outstanding obligations.
The company’s Director and Chief Technical Officer, Solomon Tucker, supported the appeal, describing JM Mining’s nine-year exploration programme as technically rigorous and professionally conducted.
He said the company had spent about US$20 million on exploration and had attracted potential financing of up to US$175 million, with the possibility of increasing the investment to US$275 million.
Tucker argued that cancelling the company’s licence after such a lengthy investment period could discourage investors and deprive the country of significant economic opportunities.
The hearing also heard strong support for JM Mining from traditional authorities and community representatives in the affected area.
Paramount Chief of Nongowa Chiefdom, Sadiq M. Kapuwa, told the committee that JM Mining had made significant contributions to education, healthcare and community development during its years of operation.
He said the company had supported teachers and nurses, built community infrastructure and engaged local residents, while also promising to develop an environmentally responsible “green mining” operation.
The Paramount Chief said he had refused to support another mining company entering the area without the consent of the landowners and community authorities.
He urged Parliament to intervene and reconsider the decision affecting JM Mining.
A representative of the community’s Mines Committee also presented a letter dated 14 June 2026, in which the Paramount Chief reportedly stated that he had not consented to mineral rights being granted to any company other than JM Mining in the affected areas.
The committee subsequently questioned representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Resources and the National Minerals Agency (NMA) about the legal requirements for access to land for mining operations.
Lawmakers referred to provisions of the Mines and Minerals Act concerning surface rights and the requirement for mining applicants to obtain appropriate legal agreements or permissions from landowners and occupants before accessing and using land within a licence area.
Members of the committee expressed concern over reports that another company had been granted mineral rights in an area where JM Mining had already conducted extensive exploration.
Several MPs called for dialogue between the company, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Resources, the NMA, traditional authorities and other stakeholders.
They also stressed the need to protect Sierra Leone’s investment climate while ensuring that the rights and interests of communities and landowners are respected.
However, representatives of the Ministry of Mines were unable to provide substantive responses because the Minister was reportedly out of the country on medical leave. The ministry’s representative therefore requested that the hearing be adjourned until the Minister and other key officials could attend.
Committee members agreed that the Minister’s presence was necessary for a comprehensive examination of the matter.
In its resolutions, the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Mines and Mineral Resources agreed to put the investigation on hold pending the return of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources.
The committee further resolved that all mining activities on the concession in question should be stopped until Parliament, through the committee, completes its investigation.
The committee also requested the Paramount Chief of the concession area and other stakeholders to refrain from actions that could interfere with the investigation.
In addition, notices are to be served on the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) to scale down the deployment of police and military personnel in the disputed land pending the completion of the parliamentary investigation.
Chairman Hon. Emerson Lamina said the committee would seek to hear all sides before making a final determination, emphasizing Parliament’s responsibility to protect the interests of citizens while creating an enabling environment for responsible investment.
The matter is expected to return before the committee when the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources and other relevant officials are available to testify.
