The Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG), on Thursday, March 30th 2023, officially handed over the total sum of 20.3 billion Leones (Le 20.3 Billion) as Community Development Agreement (CDA) fund to primary host communities within their concessional areas in the Tonkolili District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone. The cheque was presented by H.E President Julius Maada Bio to the local authorities at a well attended ceremony held at the EBK University in Magburaka, Tonkolili district. He commended Leone Rock Metal Group for maintaining it commitment to pay 1% of revenue as investment in local sustainable livelihood and community development projects. "As I indicated, the CDA will not only support the economic viability and resilience of this community, mining will leave a positive footprint in these communities and that this is the second time he's handing over such huge amount of money and that the payment is done on time" he said.The handing over ceremony attracted hosts of government and non-government officials including, the President and First Lady of Sierra Leone, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, LRMG/Kingho Energy Group President, LRMG CEO, Opposition Leaders, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Sitting Members of Parliament, Primary Host Community Heads, Dignitaries from various Ministries, stakeholders & staff of Leone Rock Metal Group among many others. The Community Development Agreement (CDA) comes to existence as a result of a provision in the Mines & Minerals Act, 2009 and as revised in the Mines & Minerals Development Act, 2022. Kingho Mining Company is actively concerned about the socio-economic life of its primary Host Communities (PHC) and deems it prudent that the company accelerate the implementation of the CDA & other Community interventions such as CDAP & CSR. Kingho's Community Development strategies showcase its positive intentions in rolling out the development projects needed in mining affected communities within its concession in Tonkolili District. Leone Rock Metal Group is the first mining company to pay for the second time 1% of its total income to the community development fund for its operational communities.
The CDA by the old regulation, was 0.01% of the revenue of large-scale mining company. However, Leone Rock Metal Group paid 1% even before the revised law is assented by H.E the President, so that communities will carry out more developmental activities. LRMG's timely payment of the CDA fund to its primary host communities in Tonkolili is a positive step towards sponsoring accountable practices in the mining sector and promoting sustainable community development in Sierra Leone.