After receiving an export ban issued by the Government of Sierra Leone, SL Mining Ltd., a subsidiary of British Gerald Group, recently stated that it would re-evaluate the plan on expansion of iron ore production at the Marampa mine.

The Marampa mine operated by SL Mining mainly produced high-grade iron ore with over 65% Fe concentrate. In early July, the Ministry of Mines & Mineral Resources ordered SL Mining to stop all operations at the Marampa mine.

After the company suspended all mining works, the government subsequently issued an export ban at the end of July. Meanwhile, SL Mining decided to re-evaluate the upcoming plans on expanding 3 million tons of annual capacity, and also the capacity expansion planned for the next two years.

The company originally expected to invest US$200 million in the next two years to expand the iron ore production capacity to 6 million tons. However, the plans were now forced to be suspended.