27 November, 2019 –  Lunsar, Sierra Leone and London, UK: SL Mining Limited (“SL Mining” / “the Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Gerald International Limited, today confirmed that in order to protect its legitimate interests, the Company has issued this press release relating to the ICC Arbitral Tribunal’s Order on Interim Measures dated 25 November 2019 and the restrictions placed upon the Government of Sierra Leone (“Government”) in respect of SL Mining’s Marampa Project, assets, stockpiles and equipment.

SL Mining is pursuing legal action against the Government of Sierra Leone, in connection with the Government’s unlawful conduct and non-compliance with the binding decisions reached in international arbitration. In the Company’s Statement of 8 October 2019, SL Mining confirmed that the Government had, by letter received on 7 October 2019, purported to cancel SL Mining’s Large-Scale Mining Licence No ML 01/2017 relating to the Marampa Project. This purported cancellation was unlawful and invalid and was contrary to the binding orders of the ICC Emergency Arbitrator.

Following the purported cancellation of SL Mining’s Licence, the ICC Arbitral Tribunal issued an Order on Interim Measures on 25 November 2019 in which it:

1. Ordered the Government to rescind the purported cancellation of SL Mining’s Licence or otherwise to reinstate it.
2. Ordered that until the final resolution of the dispute by the Tribunal:
   1. The Government lift any prohibition on shipping or export of minerals directed at SL Mining;
   2. The parties continue to comply with their obligations under clause 6.9(d) of the Large Scale Licence Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and SL Mining Limited dated 5 December 2017;
   3. The parties refrain from aggravating and take no steps to aggravate the dispute between them;
   4. The Government shall refrain from:
      • removing, dealing with, or otherwise interfering, directly or via third parties, with SL Mining’s assets, including equipment and stockpiles of iron ore, in relation with SL Mining’s Marampa iron ore project;
      • directly or indirectly operating itself, or allowing third parties to operate, the Marampa Project;
      • taking any steps towards the issuance of a mining licence and/or entry into a mining lease agreement relating to the Marampa Project or any part thereof to and/or with a third party; and
      • otherwise altering the status quo as of immediately before receipt of the letter purportedly cancelling the Licence.
3. Ordered that the ICC Emergency Arbitrator’s orders continue in full force.

SL Mining will not hesitate to take legal action against third parties who infringe its rights in relation to the Marampa Project.

SL Mining is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gerald International Limited, which is the holding company for all entities in Gerald Group. The Group is one of the world’s leading commodity groups, and the oldest and largest employee-owned commodity merchant in the world. SL Mining restarted production at the Marampa Project after 4 years, following earlier failed attempts by other international companies. SL Mining began marketing and shipping premium grade >65% iron ore concentrate to steel mills in China in June and July this year from the Marampa Project.

For information visit: https://marampamines.com/

Press enquiries: media@slmining.com

Gerald Group: media@gerald.com  

About SL Mining

Located in the Port Loko District, the northern province of Sierra Leone, SL Mining is engaged in the exploration, development and production of ‘Marampa Blue’, a high-grade iron ore concentrate with >65 percent Fe content. SL Mining was awarded a renewable Large-Scale Mining License granted under the Mines and Minerals Act, 2009 In March 2017 for a term of 25 years, emphasizing the strong support for the Marampa project locally, and reflecting its significant importance to the national economy. Together with Gerald Group’s international expertise in metals, finance, strategic investments and experienced management teams and employees, SL Mining aims to build a resilient and long-life iron ore mine in Sierra Leone and to expand operations by integrating mining, processing and rail and port logistics, alongside playing a responsible role in the economic and social stability of the Lunsar region.