By: Emma Black
A devastating mining disaster has struck the town of Kumaror in Kono District, where at least 100 people are feared dead after being trapped in a collapsed mining tunnel. The tragic incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, October 19, 2025, at a site allegedly operated by Lion Rock Mining Company, a firm reportedly linked to both Chinese investors and Sierra Leonean nationals.
According to eyewitness accounts, the victims mostly local artisanal miners had entered the tunnel in search of gold in what authorities describe as illegal mining activity. Preliminary investigations suggest the tunnel collapsed due to its unsafe structure and poor working conditions, typical of unregulated mining operations in the area.
Rescue operations have been severely hampered by the fragile condition of the tunnel and the dangerous terrain surrounding the site. Local reports indicate that hours after the incident, a crisis meeting was held between community leaders and representatives of Lion Rock Mining Company to discuss possible rescue efforts, however, sources say the meeting ended in frustration after the company denied the existence of alternative exits from the tunnel claims that locals dispute, alleging that such tunnels often have multiple escape routes.
Many of those trapped are said to be relatives of prominent community figures, including the son of a local chief, the sons of an army officer, and other notable residents, the tragedy has left families in despair, with emotional scenes unfolding as relatives gather near the site, pleading for government intervention.
One community source described the situation as hopeless, saying that there has been little progress or coordination between authorities and the company, we are losing hope, the source said, the government and the company must act now to recover our loved ones.”
Kono District, historically known for its rich diamond deposits, was once the epicenter of Sierra Leone’s diamond trade. However, decades of exploitation, mismanagement, and the civil war left the district’s mining sector weakened. Today, with formal mining jobs scarce, many locals have turned to artisanal and small-scale mining often illegal and perilous as a means of survival.
The Lion Rock Mining Company, which officially focuses on gold extraction, has yet to release a public statement regarding the incident. Community members have accused the company of neglect and called on the government and regulatory agencies to investigate the circumstances leading to the disaster.
Local authorities are under growing pressure to take immediate action. Civil society groups and community leaders are demanding that the government regulate artisanal mining activities more effectively and enforce safety standards across all mining sites.
The people of Kono have suffered enough, said one activist, our communities are rich in minerals, but poor in safety, accountability, and justice, these tragedies keep happening because the government allows unsafe practices to continue unchecked.”
As rescue efforts continue, the people of Kumaror wait in anguish, hoping for a miracle, the tragedy has once again exposed the grim reality faced by many Sierra Leoneans who risk their lives daily in unregulated mines for the hope of a better future.
With no clear resolution in sight, families cling to faint hope that their loved ones might still be found alive. Meanwhile, the collapse stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stronger oversight, corporate responsibility, and community protection in Sierra Leone’s mining sector, the government and the Lion Rock Mining Company are yet to issue official statements as recovery efforts remain ongoing.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 24 October 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
