The National Minerals Agency (NMA) has successfully wrapped up an intensive educational outreach program designed to demystify the mining sector for students across Sierra Leone. The tour spanned the key regions of Makeni, Kono, Bo, and Kenema, following a successful pilot phase in Freetown.
Led by NMA Library and Research Manager, Mrs. Victoria Nicol, with support from various Regional Managers, the initiative serves as a strategic bridge between the technical world of mineral extraction and the nation’s youth.
By engaging students during their formative years, the NMA aims to:
* Demystify Operations: Provide clarity on how mining companies function within local communities.
* Promote Stewardship: Encourage young citizens to take an active interest in how their country’s natural resources are managed.
* Boost Transparency: Reinforce the NMA’s commitment to community inclusion and open communication.
According to Mrs Nicol, the goal is to catch them young and by engaging pupils now, we expand their knowledge and inspire them to take an active interest in the management of our natural resources.
Beyond general awareness, the outreach has a specific academic focus. The NMA is keen on building technical capacity by encouraging pupils, particularly those in the science stream to pursue professional careers in Geology, Mining Engineering, related Earth Sciences.
The program’s success was first done in Freetown before expanding nationwide.
By equipping the next generation with this specialized knowledge, the NMA ensures that future Sierra Leoneans are not just spectators, but active participants and beneficiaries of the nation’s mineral wealth.