Section 164, The Mines and Minerals Act, 2009

(1) Citizens of Sierra Leone possessing the necessaryqualifications and experience shall be given preference for employment in all phases of operations under a mineral right, and in accordance with the national labour laws. (2) A holder of a mineral right shall not import unskilled labour for the carrying out of any of its operations undertaken under the mineral right. (3) A holder of a mineral right shall not employ or in any way use child labour. (4) A holder of a small-scale mining licence or large-scale mining licence shall carry out a scheme of training and employment of local employees in each phase and level of operations taking into account the requirements of safety and the need to maintain acceptable standards of efficiency in the conduct of the operations. (5) The training programme shall provide appropriate instruction and training to ensure the advancement of Sierra Leonean employees in the skilled technical, supervisory, administrative and managerial categories. (6) A holder of a small-scale mining licence or large-scale mining licence shall submit an annual written report to the Director describing the number of personnel employed, their nationality, their positions and the status of training programmes for citizens of Sierra Leone. (7) Failure by a holder of a mineral right to comply with the provisions of subsection (3), (4) or (5) shall be regarded as a material breach and if such person is the holder of a small-scale mining licence or large-scale mining licence, the licence may be suspended or cancelled.