By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The management and board of Koidu Limited have publicly addressed the ongoing industrial action at Koidu Diamond Mine, emphasizing their commitment to employee safety, legal compliance, and constructive dialogue to resolve grievances.

Koidu Limited on Wednesday March 12, 2025 reaffirmed that the safety and well-being of its employees and the surrounding community remain its top priority. The company maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violence, intimidation, or incitement. In response to the industrial action, the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has pledged full support, including assistance from security forces to maintain order and ensure a safe work environment.

The company highlighted that the ongoing strike action, which it deemed illegal under Sections 64 and 67 of the Industrial Relations and Trade Union Act 2023, was initiated to address concerns related to wages, reinstatement of dismissed workers, and overall working conditions. While Koidu Limited expressed a willingness to engage in direct negotiations to resolve these issues, it emphasized that discussions could only proceed if the strike was immediately called off, allowing workers to return safely.

Management warned that failure to adhere to Sierra Leonean labor laws and continued acts of incitement preventing workers from resuming their duties—especially any instances of violence—could lead to the withdrawal of all staff from the mine due to safety concerns. Such a move, they cautioned, would result in a complete shutdown of operations, posing a significant threat to the mine’s future viability.

Koidu Limited stated that it had actively sought to resolve the dispute through proper legal and governmental channels. Meetings have been held with key stakeholders, including the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, on March 7, 2025. Efforts to engage directly with the Minister of Mines, the National Minerals Agency, the Chief Minister, and even President Julius Maada Bio himself have also been made.

The company assured the government of its commitment to addressing all concerns raised by the aggrieved employees. As part of its proposed resolution, Koidu Limited has put forward initiatives such as a workforce salary review, the introduction of a quarterly diamond price-based bonus scheme, and other incentive programs. These measures, according to the company, will be implemented immediately upon reaching a mutual agreement through negotiations.

In response to allegations of corrupt or dishonest practices, Koidu Limited firmly rejected such claims, calling them baseless. The company reiterated that every diamond extracted from its mining operations is fully accounted for, conducted under the supervision of the GoSL, and in strict compliance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

Looking ahead, Koidu Limited remains dedicated to the long-term sustainability of the mine and the broader hard rock diamond industry in Sierra Leone. The company announced plans to disclose further ambitious initiatives aimed at strengthening collaboration with key government officials, local stakeholders, and regional partners.

As the situation unfolds, Koidu Limited has assured that it will continue to engage with all relevant parties to find a mutually beneficial resolution that ensures the mine’s future operations while addressing workers' concerns in a lawful and structured manner.