By Richmond B. Tholley
Hundreds of landowners and residents from the Magbafth Section in Yoni Mabanta Chiefdom, located in the Northern District of Tonkolili, protested on Friday, March 21, 2025, against a proposed mining operation on their lands.
According to the residents, Ojaskara SL Ltd. is planning large-scale bauxite mining in several villages around the Magbafth Section. However, the landowners have expressed strong opposition to the project, citing concerns about the potential dangers it could pose to their lives.
“We are farmers, and we’re not interested in mining,” the residents stated.
Landowners, primarily from farming families, were seen holding placards with slogans such as “Our land, our rights, we’re not interested in mining.” The protesters argued that the proposed mining operation would destroy their lands and pose a serious threat to the community’s future growth and well-being.
Further investigations revealed that certain individuals were pushing for the mining operations to commence despite the objections and concerns raised by the landowners. While local authorities have remained steadfast in supporting the project, the landowners have vowed to resist any attempts to begin mining on their land.
The landowners emphasized that there would be severe consequences if Ojaskara SL Ltd attempted to enter their land without their consent.
“Although we are poor, no one has the right to simply come onto our land without permission. These are our lands, and they are meant for farming, not for mining,” stated a town headman.
Moses M. Fullah, a representative of the landowning families, expressed that the residents and landowners of the affected villages have made it clear that they are not in favour of mining on their lands. He urged the authorities to listen to their concerns and not grant the company a license for any form of mining in the region.
Fullah noted that people from Sumbuya village and other affected communities are united in their protest against the proposed bauxite mining. Agriculture, he said, is their priority as a community, and they do not want their land to be exploited for mining purposes.
During the protest, landowners, including women and youths from the affected villages of Magbafth, Makombo, Mathombo, Sumbuya, and others, expressed their dissatisfaction with what they described as a blatant disregard for their human rights and dignity.
The community has accused local authorities of entering into an illegal agreement with Ojaskara SL Ltd. regarding the mining project. The landowners have made it clear that they will never agree to mining operations on their lands, as they are fully aware of the potential dangers to their communities.
When contacted, Ibrahim Bangura, the section chief of Magbafth, expressed his support for the decisions made by his people. He emphasized that he represents his people and would not take any action that could endanger their lives.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates.
