SML 2/2024
Small-scale gold mining.
- Holder
- AGT Mining and Development Company (SL) Limited
- Area
- 29.29 hectares
- Validity
- 2 May 2024 – 1 May 2036
- Location
- Kholifa Rowala Chiefdom, Tonkolili District
- Reference
- APL-I-1138
Sula Mountains, Sierra Leone
From the ground up to measured gold production.
EP Mining & Development is moving from manual extraction to commercial gold production, with two 100 TPH washing plants and a fleet of 17 machines already acquired.
USD 20M+invested in project development (company-reported)
2 × 100 TPHcustomised washing plants
17machines listed for mobilisation
2036small-scale mining licence expiry
The project
An operation stepping up in scale
Born from manual extraction, the project has grown into a structured mining operation. The goal: to become an established gold producer in Sierra Leone.
Investment to date covers land rights, permits, geological exploration, infrastructure and machinery. The company reports having completed the procedures required for its current operations.
The sites lie in the Sula Mountains, within Sierra Leone’s gold-bearing greenstone belts. Mineral exports reached USD 1.199 billion in 2023 (national atlas, citing SLEITI figures).
Regional context does not establish mineable resources on EP Mining’s holdings. Actual output must be confirmed in operations.
Regulatory framework
Mining rights: what is active, what is pending
The two titles below come from the supplied register records and are shown with their exact status.
APL-I-1316
Exploration for gold and associated minerals (MMDA 2023).
- Applicant
- EP Mining and Development Company Limited
- Area
- 105.28 km²
- Applied
- 13 March 2026
- Location
- Diang Chiefdom, Koinadugu District
- Status
- “License Pending” in the register
The active licence supports the current project. The pending application concerns expanded exploration; its status will be updated once the relevant authority confirms it officially.
Engineering
A washing plant designed for this deposit
Engineers carried out on-site investigations into gold content and deposit quality, then designed a customised 100 TPH plant (Engima, Casablanca).
100 TPHcapacity per plant, two plants planned
2–5%targeted gold loss during processing
~USD 1Mcost of one plant, components included
What’s in a 100 TPH plant
| Component | Model / specification | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Three-side feed hopper | 26.3 m³ | 1 |
| Vibrating feeder | DN38096 | 1 |
| Belt conveyors | B800 × 15 m · B650 × 15 m | 2 |
| Trommel scrubber | JXSC-1550 | 1 |
| Screens | DN1845 high-frequency · DN1545 vibrating | 2 |
| Sluice box with vibrator | B1500 × 6 m | 1 |
| Sluice box | B1000 × 6 m | 3 |
| Slurry pump | 8/6 | 1 |
| Centrifugal concentrator | STLB-100 | 1 |
| Shaking table | 1845 | 1 |
The site
18,000 m² laid out to operate safely
General arrangement: washing plant on the highest level, gravel stockpile, workshop, smelting area, parking and a secured perimeter with CCTV and lighting.
The process flow runs from unloading into the hopper, through washing and separation and storage in water basins, to loading, transport and gold processing.
How the 18,000 m² is allocated
Installations
Roads
Other
Installations 8,594 m² (sum of the listed zones) · circulation 6,586 m² · remaining 2,820 m² (derived from the listed figures).
150 × 120 mtotal footprint, 1.8 ha
8,594 m²listed installations and equipment
6,586 m²roads and circulation
7 mpatrol road width
This is a proposed concept: the plateau, roads, foundations, haul routes and site services remain to be built. Geometry, pit access, drainage and area allocations require engineering validation.
Fleet
17 machines ready to mobilise
According to the company, all machines are customs cleared and stored near the site, awaiting transport.
| Equipment | Qty |
|---|---|
| Caterpillar 966H wheel loader | 1 |
| 330D excavator | 1 |
| D8R bulldozer | 1 |
| 320C excavators | 4 |
| HOWO dump trucks | 2 |
| Additional front loaders | 3 |
| Gottwald crane | 1 |
| Fuel truck | 1 |
| Corporate fleet | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
Roadmap
The path to commercial production
Phased execution, starting after the rainy season.
Access and plateau
Secure site access, confirm the transport route and prepare the plateau.
Foundations
Earthworks and stable foundations built for long-term use.
Mobilisation
Move machinery and plant from nearby storage to site.
Plant installation
Install and commission the processing plants and site services.
Production
Ramp up and confirm results through measured production.
Production outlook
The company’s planning assumptions
1.8–2.4 kgexpected gold output per day from two plants
17%anticipated direct operating costs as a share of revenue
~25%estimated total costs, including obligations, maintenance and contingencies
These are planning assumptions based on previous testing and planned capacity, not verified operating results. Production, costs and profitability depend on actual recovery rates, gold prices, site conditions and operating performance.
Investment opportunity
Complete the site and start commercial production
Site and earthworks
Site access, civil works and preparation for reliable operations.
Plant and foundations
Foundations and installation of the processing plant infrastructure.
Equipment mobilisation
Transport, delivery and set-up of critical equipment and supporting assets.
Operating liquidity
Operations, labour, consumables and commissioning through to initial production.
Staged, disciplined deployment to reduce development risk. A detailed use of proceeds and the investment structure are available on request.
Transparency
Key risks and planned mitigation
| Risk area | Current approach |
|---|---|
| Licence status | Active mining licence in place; exploration application pending. |
| Production confirmation | Start with measured production to confirm results. |
| Infrastructure | Site design completed; mobilisation planned. |
| Seasonality | Phased execution after the rainy season. |
The Foundation is part of the company’s intended commitment to sustainable regional development: community infrastructure, local road access and energy-related projects, coordinated with stakeholders and neighbouring communities.
Visit the Foundation’s websiteInitiatives remain subject to consultation, budgets, permits and implementation. Planned benefits are distinct from completed, measured results.
Next steps
Technical review and investor discussion
EP Mining & Development invites interested investors and partners to review the project and discuss the proposed investment.
[email protected]