With
Sierra Leone’s diamond sector expected to increase dramatically
in the next few years, USAID launched a series of initiatives
starting in 2007 to assist the people of Sierra Leone to derive
greater benefits from their nation’s diamond wealth. In
the diamond rich Kono District, USAID sponsored two week workshop
to assist merchants in setting up small businesses in the diamond
sector. Some 200 participants learned how to identify and class
diamonds, as well as the fundamentals of starting a diamond-related
business. In addition, USAID also sensitized students on the
environmental impact of mining operation in the area exploited.
Abdulai
Kouruma, one of the participants in the workshops, said the
USAID-sponsored effort made an enormous impact on his professional
life. “USAID helped me become a diamond broker,”
Kouruma said. “I learned to recognize real diamonds and
determine their value. In 2008, I opened my own diamond consultancy
store where miners come and sell diamonds to me.”
Diamonds
are one of Sierra Leone’s primary mineral resources along
with retile, bauxite, gold, and iron ore. The mining sector
contributes around 20% of GDP and government revenues from the
sector were equal to 8% of GDP. Since the end of Sierra Leone’s
civil war in 2002, the mineral sector has been rebuilding and
currently accounts for close to 90% of all exports. With the
prospect of new modern gold and diamond mines opening in the
next three-five years, it is estimated that the value of annual
mineral exports could exceed $370 million.
Significant
challenges remain for the mining industry in Sierra Leone. These
include outdated mining legislation, inadequate infrastructure,
poor methods of revenue assessment and collection, and inadequate
management of mining permits and environmental controls. However,
as the mining industry comes to grips with these problems, USAID’s
assistance at this important time in the development of the
diamond sector will allow enterprising individuals to benefit
from Sierra Leone’s natural richness for many years to
come.
