Sierra Leone: Govt Launches First Online Mining Database in West Africa

[IPS] Freetown - The launch of Sierra Leone's first online mining database in West Africa comes with a promise to increase transparency and accountability in the country's rich natural resource sector.

Sierra Leone in uphill battle to avoid "resource curse"

FREETOWN (Reuters) - On the fifth floor of Sierra Leone's main government office building, a decaying hulk where working toilets are scarce and the lift unreliable, Mines Director Jonathan Sharkah exudes optimism. He is, after all, one of the most powerful figures in the West African country's iron ore sector, and its revival could potentially create jobs and infrastructure in a nation ...

Sierra Leone: Oil - Govt Calling All Takers

African Arguments (London)-Interest in West African oil acreage has steadily increased in recent years and governments along the Gulf of Guinea have sought to benefit. Sierra Leone is no exception in that regard. On 29 December 2011, authorities announced the launch of a new oil licensing round covering nine blocks across 21,242km (most of which are in deep water) - bidding will be held open ...

Blair says Sierra Leone has 'much to celebrate'

When Sierra Leone's brutal civil war was declared over in January 2002, Britain's then-prime minister Tony Blair was welcomed as a hero for the role his troops played in pushing the rebels out of Freetown.

Africa Tourism: Sierra Leone sells beaches not blood diamonds

FREETOWN — Sierra Leone enters international tourist market with adventure tourism and ecotourism under its belt. read more

Agriterra Ltd - Expands Cocoa Operations in Sierra Leone

 Agriterra Ltd / Ticker: AGTA / Index: AIM / Sector: Agriculture25 January 2012Agriterra Ltd ('Agriterra' or 'the Company')Expands Cocoa Operations in Sierra Leone Agriterra Ltd, the AIM listed pan African ...

Conflicts and Cooperation in Conservation: Adventures in Researching the Pygmy Hippopotamus on Tiwai Island, Sierra ...

Conflicts and Cooperation in Conservation: Adventures in Researching the Pygmy Hippopotamus on Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone

"Pirate" fishing vessel got UK funds - officials

FREETOWN (Reuters) - A vessel seized by Sierra Leone authorities for illegally fishing off the West African nation's coast received funds from a British government development agency through an investment fund, officials said. Some $1.74 million (1.09 million pounds) from the government's Commonwealth Development Corporation was invested in the Sierra Fishing Company, owner of the vessel Marampa ...

Sierra Leone Diamond Mine Set for IPO

The Koidu diamond mine in Sierra Leone will be set for an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, according to published reports. The Beny Steinmetz Group, a privately held natural resources company, will issue its float in the later half of 2012 through a spinoff company called Octea, which serves as the ...

Charles Taylor lawyers seek to reopen defense case

Lawyers for former Liberian president Charles Taylor have asked a U.N.-backed war crimes court for permission to reopen their defense case, saying a recently published Security Council report could help clear him of charges he sent fighters to commit atrocities in Sierra Leone's civil war.