By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Gento Group of Companies has issued a strong rebuttal to what it described as a “defamatory and misleading” public notice recently published by the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development Corporation (SLMMDC), regarding the Tonkolili North Iron Ore deposit in Kasafoni. The Group emphasized its full compliance with the country’s laws and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to transparent, lawful business operations in the extractives sector.

In a press release signed by its Public Relations Officer, Alex Bolton, and dated June 5, 2025, the Gento Group stated that SLMMDC’s assertions—that Gento lacks any legal standing in Kasafoni and cannot enter into mining-related negotiations—are not only false but designed to misinform the public, tarnish the company’s image, and intimidate legitimate private investors.

“The public notice from SLMMDC is not only defamatory and scandalous; it is also inconsistent with the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2022, particularly Section 33(3)(a), which affirms the importance of securing surface rights through agreements with rightful landowners,” the statement noted.

The Gento Group underscored that it is a fully registered and 100% Sierra Leonean-owned company with a valid land lease agreement signed with the Paramount Chiefs and landowners of Sambaia, Dansogoia, and Diang Chiefdoms—the customary custodians of the Kasafoni area. This lease is a foundational legal requirement under Sierra Leonean law for obtaining a large-scale mining license.

The Group emphasized that this agreement is not only legally sound but also rooted in the will of the local communities, including women and youth groups, who have collectively endorsed the company’s presence in the region.

In a formal letter dated June 5, 2025, the three Paramount Chiefs of the aforementioned chiefdoms notified the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, with copies sent to key government stakeholders, confirming the land lease agreement with Gento Group. The chiefs affirmed that Gento was selected for its credibility and respectful engagement with communities, in stark contrast to past grievances with some foreign companies.

“We the custodians of the land, along with our people, have unanimously agreed to lease our land to Gento Group. As a company fully owned by Sierra Leoneans, they have demonstrated integrity, transparency, and a willingness to collaborate,” the letter reads.

Gento Group clarified that while it has not yet obtained a large-scale mining license, it has strictly adhered to all preliminary legal steps as outlined in the Mines and Minerals Development Act. The company stressed that it remains open to lawful partnerships with other interested entities, but only under conditions that respect the land lease it now rightfully holds.

Furthermore, the Group expressed concern that SLMMDC failed to consult or engage them prior to issuing the public notice—a move Gento sees as both unprofessional and disruptive to private sector participation in national development.

“At no point did SLMMDC attempt to address any overlapping claims or disputes through dialogue or due process,” Gento said, calling the unilateral public notice an affront to lawful business and the rights of landowning communities.

Gento Group is now calling on SLMMDC to retract the “misleading and injurious” public notice and to refrain from further actions that could undermine the confidence of both local and international investors in Sierra Leone’s legal and regulatory environment.

“We remain confident in the rule of law and the support of genuine stakeholders dedicated to integrity, development, and private sector-led growth in Sierra Leone,” the statement concluded. “Where necessary, Gento Group will not hesitate to pursue all legal remedies to defend its name, investments, and long-standing commitment to national progress.”

As the dust settles over this dispute, the Gento Group continues to position itself as a responsible actor in Sierra Leone’s mining sector, backed not only by the law but by the trust of the communities in which it operates. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/gento-group-rebuts-slmmdc-claims-affirms-lawful-lease-over-tonkolili-north-iron-ore-site/