Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Mineral Resources is implementing a program of legal and regulatory reform governing the minerals sector. Leading the way is the new Mines and Minerals Act 2009 which has been approved by the Cabinet and will be presented to Parliament. Hon. Alhaji Alpha Kanu, Minister of Mineral Resources and Political Affairs, says that the act “is a major departure from previous mining legislation that will bring important benefits to the economy, communities and the country. It is more comprehensive with respect to the issues it addresses, more balanced between the interests of the sector and those of communities, and more rigorous in terms of governance and oversight”. (more…)