a bit confusing but late last year London & African/CFE 'saga' sorted out. this from Ministry of Mineral resources website http://www.slminerals.org/content/
Sierra Leone: London Mining Company Rescues Pepel Island
Concord Times - 23 April 2008
(Freetown)The people of Pepel will be breathing a sigh of relief with the construction of the long dilapidated bridge linking the Island to the mainland. President Koroma officially opened the re-constructed rail bridge for vehicular access to Pepel Island sponsored by London Mining Company Limited last week-end.
The section chief Adams Bai Kabba thanked London Mining Company for reconstructing the long standing dilapidated Pepel bridge which has not been used for decades after the closure of DELCO Mining Company.
Chief Kabba told President that with the commitment shown by London Mining Company, "I am impressed with the commitment of London Mining Company to fulfill their social corporate responsibility. I am calling on government to hand over the rail port to London Mining Company" Kabba said.
He noted that before the re-construction of the bridge, the people have been suffering, especially to seek medical services and transport their goods. Kabba praised the Company for reconstructing the court barray and at the same time, giving employment to the youths in the community.
President Koroma, in his visit last week to Pepel commended the London Mining Company for a job well done as Pepel is fertile especially for Agriculture and Mining purposes. President Koroma appealed to the people of Pepel to reconcile with each other as elections are now over and that they should maintain peace to ensure sustainable development.
"My government is currently reviewing all mining licenses as we inherited the system with a lot of complains. My government has already raised funds for the completion of the * Bumbuna Hydro Project. We want to provide regular electricity and improve in education, health and agriculture" President Koroma said. He informed the people that after providing energy, their next challenge is to revamp the agricultural sector and called on all to embark on farming so that Sierra Leoneans would be able to feed themselves.
"I want the mining sector to benefit the people of Sierra Leone as the country is endowed with natural resources" President Koroma concluded adding that all community leaders have eloquently praised the community development efforts of London Mining and praised the constructive approach chosen by London Mining Company.
Speaking at the cutting of the tape of the newly reconstructed bridge, Hon. Bai Marrow Kamara, requested from the President to grant London Mining Company the rail port as the Company seems committed to the development of the area Managing Director, London Mining Company Manoj Dosi highlighted the community development projects London Mining has undertaken ranging from the rehabilitation of major feeder roads, construction of the Pepel Court barray and the Shenge-Pepel Rail Bridge. "We have also launched the rehabilitation of the Marampa Health Centre. I want to see the railway humming with severe activity like it was in 1980. I am confident of commencing production in 2009 with the support of government," Manoj Dosi said.
* Bumbuna Hydro Project is very close (north) to Tonkolili project. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW RAIL PROJECTS FORESEEN IN SIERRA LEONE.
Posted on 08 September 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
Sierra Leone, a mineral-rich country which has been largely unexploited, is reported to have an untapped iron ore resource that could rank as third largest in the world. African Minerals Limited (AML) holds an extensive portfolio of mineral rights in Sierra Leone, where it has been actively investing since 2003. The company is currently working to bring its flagship project, Tonkolili iron-ore, into production about 150km from the Pepel deep-water port, which has good infrastructure.
An existing railway runs from Pepel to the town of Marampa, about 70km. According to AML, the potential exists for an additional 5 billion tonne resource over the 20km strike extension to the north at Kasafoni. Exploration activities at Tonkolili have also confirmed the potential for 800 million tonnes of hematite mineralisation.
The Marampa iron ore project, located approximately 80km from Tonkolili, is being managed and operated by Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd which has a 35% interest in the project. Cape Lambert has committed up to $US25-million towards a feasibility study at the project and has assembled an experienced iron-ore team to progress the project.
AML signed a lease agreement over key rail and port infrastructure with the Government of Sierra Leone in November 2008. Dependent upon the results of engineering studies, the company will refurbish and construct rail and port facilities to accommodate its iron-ore production and shipping capacity requirements and to provide third party access at commercial rates.
Parliament in Sierra Leone, AML reports, has formally ratified a lease over the railway and port infrastructure, both vital to the success of the project. The lease is for the Pepel port and for the Pepel - Marampa railway, and also covers the redevelopment of this infrastructure. In terms of the lease, the company would undertake an engineering study into the upgrade of the deep-water port and the existing railway. If these proved viable, it would upgrade, operate and maintain the port and railway and make these available to other users at commercial rates. The company is also investigating the possibility of extending the railway (which it would operate itself) to Tonkolili, to provide cost-effective transport of its iron-ore to the sea for export.
Further, studies are under way for a heavy-haul railway linking Tonkolili to Tagrin Point, which is adjacent to Pepel. Tagrin Point would be developed into an iron-ore transport, ore handling and ship loading facility, AML has indicated that the future construction and commissioning of the system was unlikely to possess any material engineering obstacles.
(20min delay)