FREETOWN — An Indian firm has partnered with a local company to mine bauxite in northern Sierra Leone, an area with over 300 million tonnes of proven reserves of the valuable rock, the local partner said Friday.
The Sierra Leone Exploration Mining Company (SLEMCO) and Indian ABG Shipyard company will begin mining in the northern town of Port Loko, 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the capital Freetown.
"Extensive studies indicated that the area has over 300 million tonnes of proven bauxite reserves," said Mohamed Sesay, chairman of SLEMCO.
The first phase of the joint mining venture will cost over 50 million dollars (40 million euro).
"Plans are well ahead to construct a 400 million dollar plant to extract aluminium from the bauxite," said Sesay.
He said the mine would provide jobs for 20,000 youths.
Mineral Resources Minister Alpha Kanu said "683 kilometres of bauxite have been discovered in the district and 131 million tonnes of bauxite are expected to be mined in the first phase of the operation".
Bauxite is a rock which is an important aluminium ore, making it highly valuable due to the large range of products made from aluminium.
Aluminium is the most commonly used light weight metal, used to make anything from cars and planes to soda cans, cooking utensils and construction materials. A highly pure form is used in CDs and electronics.
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