MineNet Company Limited Pays Le 2,350,000 in Surface Rent to Three Chiefdoms
By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay (232News)
MineNet Company Limited has fulfilled its statutory and corporate social responsibility obligations by disbursing a total of Le 2,350,000 in surface rent to landowning families in Ribbi, Bumpeh, and Kongbora Chiefdoms. The payments were made on 15th and 16th November 2025.
A formal ceremony was held at the Kongbora Administrative Barrie in Bauya, where landowners and local authorities gathered to acknowledge the company’s commitment to community welfare. Landowners praised MineNet as the only company that has not yet commenced full-scale mining operations but has already begun honouring its financial obligations.
Madam Jian Zhang, Country Director of MineNet Company Limited, expressed appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone, traditional authorities, and landowners for their continued cooperation. She reaffirmed the company’s dedication to operating transparently and lawfully, describing MineNet’s approach as one that ensures “a win-win situation” for all parties.
Speaking during the ceremony, Salamu M. Koroma, Deputy Managing Director of MineNet Company Limited, disclosed the distribution of the funds:
Kongbora Chiefdom: Le 900,000
Bumpeh Chiefdom: Le 1,250,000
Ribbi Chiefdom: Le 200,000
A total of 50 households benefitted from the payment. In accordance with the 2024 Mines and Minerals Act, the funds were allocated as follows:
70% to landowners
10% to the Paramount Chief
10% to the Member of Parliament
10% to the Local Council for community development
Abu Bakarr Panda, Senior Assistant Secretary (District Officer), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that citizens benefit directly from mining activities. He emphasized that MineNet’s operations are fully compliant with national mining regulations.
He further noted that although the company has not commenced production, once operations begin, 1% of revenue will be allocated directly to the chiefdom for development purposes. He encouraged beneficiaries to use their funds wisely, particularly for children’s education, reminding them that “mining companies will come and go, but what you do with this money will remain.”
Paramount Chief Alfred Saidu Ndomawa-Banya expressed profound gratitude to MineNet Company Limited for their early contributions to community welfare. He acknowledged the company for providing clean water and electricity, which residents are already benefiting from.
“What the company has started doing for my people makes me very happy the water and the light,” he said. “We welcome the money, but the respect and cordiality shown to us are even more valuable.”
