Marampa Mines Limited New ‘M3.75’ plant and machinery, the largest single import of mining equipment into Sierra Leone, arrives at Freetown Port and is successfully transported to site.

Freetown and Lunsar, Sierra Leone: 22 May 2023: Marampa Mines Limited (“MML”), Sierra Leone’s largest operating iron ore mine, is proud to announce the arrival of our new ‘M3.75’ equipment at the Port of Freetown last week, the largest single import of mining equipment into Sierra Leone. Following a complex logistics operation and the transport of the equipment to the mine site near Lunsar, in the Port Loko district, MML expects the equipment to be operational in the coming weeks and to bring greater efficiency to our operations, increased production capacity as well as product quality and consistency in the coming year. The equipment includes a SAG Mill, a core mechanical unit within the project’s expansion that required unique handling on the highway and through toll gates between Freetown and the mine site, weighs approximately 900 tonnes when fully assembled.

The M3.75 equipment has been specifically designed to meet the growing demands of the global market for high-grade iron ore, a key feedstock for cleaner and less carbon-intensive steel production. Craig Dean, CEO of Gerald Group and Marampa Mines Limited said: “We are excited to introduce our new M3.75 equipment into our mining process. We are confident that the new equipment for our expansion to 3.75 Mtpa will allow us to be more competitive and to provide our customers with the highest quality iron ore. We are committed to investing in new technology and equipment to ensure that we remain at the forefront of our industry, and this set of machinery is a key part of that strategy.”

An estimated investment of US$150 million to further expand capacity from 3.25 Mtpa to M3.75 Mtpa is being funded by Gerald Group, which demonstrates our strong commitment to the project and country and is in line with our goal to optimise production and to build a resilient, sustainable and safe project at Marampa.

The new equipment includes a Gyratory Crusher, Re-grind Mill, Sag Mill, as well as two large 60T and 300T Cranes. After the Crusher, the SAG Mill will grind the iron ore before beneficiation into high-grade Marampa Blue^TM. Early construction work for the M3.75 expansion started in September 2022 and has created new and permanent job opportunities for local employees.

For further information, please visit www.marampamines.com.

Marampa Mines Limited  

Marampa Mines Limited, a subsidiary of Gerald Group, is engaged in the development, production and export of iron ore concentrate from resources of approximately 1.7B tonnes at Marampa in the Port Loko District of the northern province of Sierra Leone. The Company is committed to being a resilient and globally competitive, world-class iron ore concentrate producer. Through investment, expertise and long-term commitment to the Marampa Project, MML aims to materially develop the production of >65% Fe quality iron ore concentrate, one of the highest grades globally, branded Marampa Blue^TM and to adopt a low-carbon energy mix at its operations. MML’s sustainability program is aimed at creating mutual stakeholder value and economic, environmental, and social benefits for the mining operation, communities who are local to the mine site, and Sierra Leone. MML has a strong focus on embracing the challenges relating to climate change, gender diversity, the environment, sustainable farming, and education.

Marampa Mines Limited to officially launch its Community Development Fund to support development initiatives for the mine’s primary host communities of Marampa and Maforki chiefdoms

Freetown and Lunsar, Port Loko District, Sierra Leone: 28 April 2023: Marampa Mines Limited (“MML”) will tomorrow launch its Community Development Fund (CDF) pursuant to its Community Development Agreement ( CDA) as required by the Mines and Minerals act, to support local development initiatives in our primary host communities of Marampa and Maforki Chiefdom.

The CDF represents Marampa Mines Limited commitment in its MLA (Mining Lease Agreement) to give 1% of its Free-on-Board revenue generated to its primary host communities for eligible development projects, including but not limited to, education, health, environment, and economic development.

The CDF is a testament to the commitment of Marampa Mines Limited to support the growth and development of the communities around our mining operations.  We hope our CDF, the largest single donation from any mining company in Sierra Leone’s history, inspires positive change and creates more vibrant and sustainable communities.

“We are excited and thrilled to officially launch this Fund after our first full year of production of high-grade iron ore concentrate, Marampa Blue^TM, to support the growth and development of our community,” said Craig Dean, CEO of MML. “We believe that empowering our communities through investing in local initiatives, can help create a brighter future for everyone living in our concession area” he added.

The CDF will be administered by the Community Development Committee (CDC), which includes representatives from various groups in the Maforki and Marampa Chiefdom, and the CDC and its Steering Committee has autonomy on project decisions. They decide on what projects to undertake or not. MML sits on the Steering Committee of the CDC and will support and recommend that projects undertaken by the CDC have a clear impact on the community, a sustainable plan for long-term success, and promote collaboration and partnership among stakeholders.

The main aim for the CDF is to aid local initiatives and projects that aim to improve the quality of life for residents of the communities around our mining concession who play host to us.

Marampa Mines Limited             

Marampa Mines Limited, a subsidiary of Gerald Group (“Gerald”), one of the world’s leading metals merchants, is engaged in the development, production and export of iron ore concentrate from resources of approximately 1.7B tonnes at Marampa in the Port Loko District of the northern province of Sierra Leone. The Company, 90% owned by the Gerald Group, with the remaining 10% owned by the Government of Sierra Leone, is committed to being a resilient and globally competitive, world-class iron ore concentrate producer. Through investment, expertise and long-term commitment to the Marampa Project, MML aims to materially develop its production of 65% Fe quality iron ore concentrate, one of the highest grades globally, branded Marampa Blue^TM and adopt a low-carbon energy mix. MML’s sustainability program is aimed at creating mutual stakeholder value and economic, environmental, and social benefits for the mining operation, communities who are local to the mine site, and Sierra Leone. MML has a strong focus on embracing the challenges relating to climate change, gender diversity, the environment, sustainable farming, and education.

Marampa Mines Limited issues statement following recent inaccurate reporting in local media

Lunsar, 11 March 2023: Further to a statement made by Marampa Mines Limited (MML) last year, we would like to again offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the three deceased men who tragically lost their lives in the lake within MML’s mining concession last October.

Since there is an ongoing investigation, MML cannot comment on the matter, except that the statements in the recent Sierra Leone press and social media are unsubstantiated and nothing further from the truth.

MML continues to cooperate fully with the investigation.

MML is categorically opposed to any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, economic status or other.

Media enquiries: media@marampamines.com