The Kingho Railway and Port (KRP), a subsidiary of the Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG), on Saturday, April 8, 2023 launched the Upgrade and Reconstruction Project of Railway & Port operations with a total investment of US$153 million. The project will modernize the rail and port to international standards.
The auspicious event was held at the Railway and Port site in Pepel, Port Loko District, Northwest Region in the presence of the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh; the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Mr. Wang Qing; Kingho Energy Group President, Mr. Colin Ding; LRMG’s CEO, Mr. Gilbert Zhao, Presidential Spokesman, Mr. Alpha Kanu; Ministers, Members of Parliament; the CTO, Mr. Salim Sillah; Community Stakeholders, Management & Staff of LRMG and other dignitaries from various sectors in the country.
The Railway and Port Operation plays a very important role in the company through the transportation of Iron Ore product from Tonkolili iron ore mine to the Port of Pepel in Port Loko District. It also serves as an important component in maintaining and developing the company’s project as well as boosting Sierra Leone’s economy.
It could be recalled that In January 2021, the government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Minerals Agency (NMA) signed the lease agreement granting Leone Rock Metal Group the right to operate the railway and port facility. Ever since the signing of the lease agreement, the company have worked judiciously and strictly under the guidelines of the agreement to fulfil all its obligations and mandate and has embarked on several routine and periodic localised maintenance of the facilities to maintain a smooth haulage and port management operation.
The Presidential Spokesman, Alpha Kanu remarked that he has continuously attended LRMG’s events because he has gained lot of respect and admiration for the company’s strategic planning and management abilities. He referenced the 20.3 billion Leones CDA fund payment ceremony, and the cornerstone laying ceremony of the construction of 12 million tons per annum processing and beneficiation plant marking the phase II stage II project as part of the company’s strategic vertical integration drive, highlighting LRMG’s readiness to improve the mining sector and communities in the country. He said that, upgrading the Railway and Port is an instrumental effort for economic and social sustainable development, and that the government is pleased and will continue to support such developmental efforts.
Mr. Salim Sillah, CTO – LRMG, noted, “This launch stands as a symbol of our preparedness and efforts put into reality, the expansion and upgrading of the Rail and Port will improve the haulage capacity of the rail line and the operational capacity of the port, which in turn, will culminate to improve safe transportation services and higher mineral export volumes for all users, including third-party users. He said, “Also, this project will ensure that the port attains an annual material handling capacity of 20 million tons and provide better loading and offloading services to all users.
The President, China Kingho Energy Group, thanked the government and the people of Pepel for their continual support to the company. He stated that the project is beneficial to the government of Sierra Leone as it will increase Revenue and contribute significantly to the GDP through boom in production and export of bulk mineral commodity, agriculture and construction materials. He informed all present that the Government is responsible for the provision of the collective social goods and services as well as the provision of other social and economic services. He said,“Successful revenue growth for the country can attract investors or partners which will in turn fulfill government’s redistributive role. He said additionally, Revenue from this project can be invested in the physical fabric communities– enhancing the sporting, cultural and educational bonds that bring young people together who may otherwise be engaged in crime”.
The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wang Qing, established that Sierra Leone-China relationship is sustainable and development-oriented. Additionally, he said that the project is a journey of mutual benefits. “This project is a key to a smooth transportation operation, a top priority for LRMG was to invest in the Rail and Port when it was handed over to the company in a dysfunctional state in October 2020. However, LRMG as a forward-thinking company, today officially launched the upgrading and reconstruction project of the Railway and Port is another new investment shown and proven to be crucial in the company and Sierra Leone,” he said.
“I am here representing the government and the people of Sierra Leone, and I am pleased with the company’s strategic plan to expand the Rail and Port so that other users can have access and work collaboratively with LRMG,” stated Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of Sierra Leone. He also mentioned that mining is vital and as a government they will support LRMG to improve the shipping capacity of the Port and reconstruction of the Rail. He added, “We are happy with the investment; we are ready to collaborate with the company to boost the mining sector in Sierra Leone. These improvements will lead to increased opportunities for locals to access better facilities and services, as well as the possible expansion of tourism. All of this will result in a positive multiplier and feedback effect, which leads to further strengthening of the economic landscape,” he said.
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh commended LRMG for their immense support towards complimenting government’s vision and growth pace as it correlates with how mining communities can significantly benefit in the company’s operations. He also commended LRMG for signing an MOU with CTC which indicates the company’s support to third users of the Rail and Port.
The landmark ceremony was climaxed with the official launch of the Upgrading and Reconstruction project of the Railway and Port with cutting of the ribbon by the Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh; President LRMG, Chinese Ambassador to SL, CEO LRMG, and other dignitaries present.