November 11, 2016
AMR Gold’s Country Manager, Luke Rogers, has assured Sierra Leoneans of his company’s commitment to providing better jobs and livelihood support in their operational areas.
Rogers, a Mining and Minerals Engineer with both production and planning experience in developing countries throughout Africa, said he was optimistic that AMR Gold would soon start offering opportunities to Sierra Leoneans by providing additional employment at their exploration sites in the north of the country.
Rogers says “it is difficult for many Sierra Leoneans to find employment in the mining sector at this current time. We hope that this phase of exploration will benefit the local community and contribute to reducing unemployment levels.”
With a strong emphasis on safety, environment and community relations, the new Country Manager said he would work effectively with his staff and management to achieve the company’s ambitious goals.
“As head of the AMR team, my remit is to develop our projects from exploration stage to operating mines that will provide a multitude of benefits to Sierra Leone and its people,” Rogers said.
The company is currently finalising the design for construction of a modern coltan production facility on its licenced area near Kamakwie, which it hopes will start production in the near future.
Although the company is currently focused on its coltan project, Rogers says he intends to increase exploration activity in the company’s gold and diamond targets in the Loko Hills region. “Our ground is highly prospective,” said Rogers. He added, “We have been pleased with the results from our initial exploration work and want to build our understanding of the geology in the area and to find economic mining opportunities for the company”.
Asked what Sierra Leoneans should expect from AMR Gold under his distinguished leadership, he said “As well as my economic goals, the company has asked me to implement international standard environmental and safety measures”. He went on to say, “We want to make sure we develop a well trained workforce and sustainable mining operations that will provide good quality jobs for Sierra Leoneans for years to come.”
As a responsible mining company “we strive to build closer relations with the government, local communities and the general public,” AMR Gold Country Manager assured.
Experienced in working in the mining industry as a Mining Engineer, Rogers holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mining Engineering and a Masters in Minerals Engineering from one of the world’s most prestigious mining schools in England, ‘The Camborne School of Mines’.
According him, AMR Gold has seen the incredible potential of Sierra Leone and its people and wants to play an active role in developing the economy, even in such difficult times. He said there can be little doubt that Ebola hit the country hard and set the economy back by years but “we believe that now is the time for Sierra Leone to utilise the amazing spirit and patriotism of its people to develop this wonderful nation which we are proud to work in.”