The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has conducted an inspection and demonstration of a new drone operated by FG Gold at its Baomahun mining site as part of the Authority’s regulatory oversight, safety and compliance responsibilities.

The inspection, conducted on Monday, 5 October 2026, focused on FG Gold’s new DJI Matrice 400 RTK drone and formed part of the regulatory approval process to determine whether the unmanned aircraft meets applicable aviation safety and operational requirements.

SLCAA Director General, Musayeroh Barrie, said the exercise was undertaken as part of the Authority’s ongoing safety oversight activities.

“As part of our safety oversight activities, our ATR officer recently visited FG Gold Mines in Baomahun for an inspection and demonstration of its new DJI Matrice 400 drone, as part of the Authority’s regulatory oversight, safety and compliance processes,” she stated.

During the visit, an SLCAA officer observed a practical demonstration of the drone at the mining site. FG Gold’s surveying team introduced the DJI Matrice 400 RTK, which is equipped with an H30T camera and a DJI V1 loudspeaker.

According to information presented during the inspection, FG Gold intends to deploy the drone for surveying and other operational activities across the FG Gold Project. Its advanced camera system is expected to enhance aerial surveying and site monitoring, while the loudspeaker could support blast monitoring and emergency response operations.

The technology is also expected to improve communication and emergency management across the mining site, particularly in areas where rapid dissemination of safety information may be required.

The SLCAA is responsible for regulating unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, in Sierra Leone. Its regulatory oversight is intended to ensure that drone operations are conducted safely, legally and in accordance with national aviation regulations.

The inspection at Baomahun represents an important stage in FG Gold’s approval process to operate the DJI Matrice 400 RTK at its mining site. It also underscores the requirement for companies, organisations and individuals seeking to operate drones to obtain the appropriate authorisation from the SLCAA before commencing operations.

The Authority has continued to emphasise that drone operators must comply with applicable aviation regulations and established safety requirements to protect people, property and other users of Sierra Leone’s airspace.

The inspection also highlights the increasing adoption of advanced drone technology within Sierra Leone’s mining industry, particularly for surveying, monitoring, safety management and emergency response.

As the use of unmanned aircraft systems continues to expand across different sectors, the SLCAA has reaffirmed its commitment to effective regulatory oversight while encouraging drone operators to use the technology responsibly and in compliance with the country’s aviation laws and regulations. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65191