Returning to the glory days of mining

There has been a boom in the diamond mining industry since the end of the war - and by March this year (2003) exports had reached an unprecedented level of 92.081.88 carats. Mechanisms are in place to minimise smuggling and the Government Gold and Diamond Office is now exporting an average of $5million each month.

Sierra Leonne is rich is resources and had satisfactory returns from diamonds, gold, iron ore, rutile and bauxite up until the mid 1990s when the rebel war caused almost total destruction of the industry.In the last three post-war years the industry has been recovering steadily.

Sierra Rutile (mining a valuable titanium dioxide) employed 5000 people in the south east of the country and was the world's third producer before the war. Operations were suspended in 1995 and the mines badly damaged - but now , with the help of funding from the EU, IFC (International Finance Corporation) and OPIC, refurbishment is well underway and jobs are being returned. Australian-based, Hazcare Mining Proprietary has continued to develop Rotifunk rutile deposits.

| Private sector | Agriculture | Fishing | Crafts | Mining |