Villagers in Sierra Leone are suing iron ore mining company African minerals
African Minerals Ltd., Sierra Leone’s largest mining company is in hot water again…It had been accused by workers and local residents of Tonkolili district of paying peanuts to the local workforce, and operating under poor working conditions. Residents living near the mines have also protested against what they regard as serious violation and abdicating of its corporate social responsibility…African Minerals Limited is being sued in a London court over allegations that it evicted residents and violently mistreated workers and villagers living close to one of its mines in Sierra Leone…The multi-million-pound lawsuit will involve 142 claimants who are aiming to receive compensation for injuries sustained during two incidents in 2010 and 2012…The company was heavily impacted by the Ebola crisis in 2014. In December of that year, the combination of a lack of investment and slumping iron ore prices forced the miner to halt its operations…The Chinese steel company said in April that it planned to return the mine, which is the second largest iron ore mine in Africa, to full production during the wet season.