During a recent high-level visit to the People’s Republic of China, the Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, Professor David Francis and senior government officials paid a visit to the China Kingho Group, a leading Chinese mining corporation on the 17th May 2023.
The delegation comprised of the Foreign Affairs Minister, David Francis, the Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, and the Sierra Leone Ambassador to China, Ernest M Ndomahina.
The delegation was welcomed by the China Kingho Group’s Chairman, Huo Qinghua and the president Ding Shichao who expressed their enthusiasm for the meeting. During the visit, the foreign minister and his delegation were given a tour of the company’s facilities and briefed on the company’s operations in Sierra Leone.
China Kingho Group is a mining company with a global presence and has been operating in various developmental capacity across the globe and the company is known for its commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection practices.
China Kingho Energy Group has grown into a resources and energy group consisting of nearly 50 independent companies and subsidiaries in Kingho Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Overseas markets, including Sierra Leone.
During the introduction of China Kingho development to the Sierra Leone Government officials, they were amazed by the transformational development the company is undertaking from resource development to clean energy use. China Kingho Group started its diversified development by going global, developing new businesses and tapping the overseas markets around 2003, thus far, it has become a multinational company. In Sierra Leone, the company primarily engages in iron ore mining, conducting exploration and development of iron ore resource in 3 Large Scale Mining licenses and currently mining and exporting from the New Tonkolili Iron Ore Mine in Ferengbaya.
The Foreign Minister on behalf of the visiting delegation expressed his appreciation for the company’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection practices, and he applauded the company’s efforts to promote local employment and economic development in Sierra Leone.
The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss ideas and strategies for further collaboration in various fields. The Foreign Minister and the delegation expressed their interest in exploring opportunities for Chinese investment in Sierra Leone’s infrastructure development, particularly in the energy, mining and transportation sectors.
In addition to business discussions, the foreign minister and his delegation took part in cultural activities, which deepened the understanding of China’s rich history and culture.
Overall, the visit was a significant milestone in the diplomatic relationship between China and Sierra Leone. The meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to build on current partnerships and establish new ties for future cooperation, leading to economic growth and development for both nations.
It could be recalled that on the 4th February 2023, Ambassadors from more than 10 African countries also visited the Group. The guests highly recognised the advanced modern industrialization level and the Group’s utilization of technology and highly praised the company’s foresight in environmental protection.
