By Frederick Bilal
Tonkolili, 19 February 2026- Leaders and residents of Sambaya Chiefdom in Tonkolili District are voicing strong concerns over what they describe as an increasingly unfair pattern of surface rent distribution by Leone Rock Mining Company.
Community representatives argue that the current system of sharing land rental payments does not reflect the actual location or scale of mining activities within Sambaya.
Paramount Chief and Member of Parliament Alhaj Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh III explained that despite hosting a large portion of the company’s mining sites, Sambaya is continuously grouped with Simiria and Dansogoia Chiefdoms during rent allocation.
“We have been calling for fairness and transparency,” he said. “All we want is for each chiefdom to receive rent according to the mining activity on its land. The current arrangement does not reflect ownership of the mining areas.”
Chief Jalloh stressed that Sambaya harbours no conflict with neighbouring chiefdoms but insisted that fairness requires individualized rent allocation. He added that Sambaya has been treated as though its role in hosting mining operations is minor, even though most sites fall within its boundaries.
Beyond rent, the Paramount Chief raised concerns about community development projects. He noted that infrastructure such as roads, offices, and community centers have been concentrated in Dansogoia Chiefdom. Company officials reportedly cited “proximity” as the reason, but Chief Jalloh dismissed this explanation as inadequate. “Development should follow the level of impact,” he argued. “If most of the mining is happening on our land, then our people should also feel the benefits.”
Residents say they face daily challenges from mining operations, including road damage, dust pollution, farmland disruption, and pressure on local resources. These impacts, they argue, make it even more urgent that Sambaya receives a fair share of benefits.
Chiefdom authorities have renewed calls for the central government and the Ministry of Mines to review the existing rent arrangement. They recommend a system based on actual land usage and intensity of mining activities, rather than a combined payment structure that overlooks Sambaya’s contribution.
“Our request is simple,” Chief Jalloh concluded. “We want fairness, sincerity, and a process that respects our rights as landowners and hosts of major mining operations. We are not against any chiefdom, but we cannot continue accepting an arrangement that disadvantages our people.”
Residents remain hopeful that government intervention will establish a more transparent framework—one that protects the rights of all affected communities, especially those bearing the greatest impact of mining.
