Sierra Leone - Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) through Climate Smart Actions

The project is aligned with the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), which recognizes Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) as an important sector for socio-economic development. The overall goal is to improve formalization, efficiency and environmental management practices in the ASM sub sector in the three selected countries(Guinea Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone). The project objectives are clearly aligned with the Artisanal Mining Policy of Sierra Leone (2018) which sets out a clear framework for guiding actions leading to the improvement of artisanal mining sector governance and management, improve sustainable artisanal mining practices, enhance environmental protection, community and occupational health and safety safeguards, ensure that miners get a fair deal for their winnings; and strengthen linkages between artisanal mining and other sectors of the economy. Furthermore, the current African Development Bank’s Country Diagnostic Note (CDN, 2019) for Sierra Leone also highlighted the minerals and mining sector as a priority area of Government. Through this project, the Bank, will strengthen the institutional and human capacity of government regulatory agencies to among others facilitate formalization of ASM to generate employment and improve the economic status of several stakeholders – especially those along the ASM value chain. The project is based on three (3) components: (i) Formalization of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector to create jobs and contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic life of mining communities; (ii) capacity building of regulatory institutions to enforce mining laws and regulations and (iii) Project coordination and management. The project will be carried out from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022.