Sierra Leone's mineral wealth, including gold, diamonds, tantalum, and precious gemstones, provides livelihoods for thousands of artisanal and small-scale miners and their dependents, generates finance for investment in other economic sectors, and thus has the potential to drive meaningful sustainable development. Yet the sector faces significant challenges which not only generate harms for rightsholders, but consistently hold it back from really flourishing: continuing dependence on informal finance, inadequate incentives and support to mine, trade and export legally, unmitigated environmental impacts including an enormous growth in the use of mercury, persistent barriers to equitable inclusion of women and youth in the sector’s benefits, and a lack of resources at the heart of government to really support effective coordination and cooperation and evolution of the legal and institutional framework to ensure good governance. For governments, multilateral organisations, and responsible businesses seeking to unlock this potential whilst managing risks, navigating the complexities of Sierra Leone's minerals landscape requires deep contextual knowledge, community engagement, and innovative solutions.
Levin Sources brings over 20 years of direct experience working in Sierra Leone's minerals sector. We have worked extensively with communities of artisanal and small-scale miners, government institutions, development organisations, and responsible businesses to understand the realities of mining livelihoods and design practical solutions that deliver sustainable development. Our approach combines rigorous field research with stakeholder engagement, grounding our work in the lived experiences of mining communities. We help clients develop evidence-based strategies that address poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, and conflict prevention whilst advancing responsible minerals value chains.
We work with partners to recognise the development potential of ASM and support its transformation towards greater sustainability, formality, and equity. Our extensive track record in Sierra Leone demonstrates how deep sector understanding can unlock opportunities for positive change.
Examples of Levin Sources' work in Sierra Leone include:
African Development Bank (2020): Value Chain Study on Jewellery Manufacturing and Value Addition
We conducted a mineral value chain study of precious and semi-precious gemstones in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Zimbabwe. We provided the client with a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with promoting downstream processing and value addition of these stones, with particular focus on addressing the needs of women and youth across the value chains.
Key capabilities brought by Levin Sources: gemstone value chain expertise; analysis of downstream processing opportunities; gender and youth-focused development analysis; comparative regional analysis.
World Bank & Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, Sierra Leone (2019-2020): Baseline Study on Artisanal Mining and ASM Database
We conducted a comprehensive baseline study of the artisanal mining sector, with a focus on gold and diamonds, to establish a foundational evidence base for policy development. Using quantitative field surveys and qualitative research, we profiled the ASM sector by examining mining practices, production and trade patterns, technologies, health and safety practices, social and environmental impacts, and capacity needs of artisanal miners. We analysed minerals value chains to identify options for in-country value addition and assessed the capacity needs of institutions and the government. Our work compiled relevant information into a database for use by the National Minerals Agency for ASM monitoring and provided key recommendations on awareness-raising, educational and training mechanisms to enhance safety and overall practices.
Key capabilities brought by Levin Sources: large-scale field research in ASM contexts; quantitative and qualitative research design and implementation; value chain analysis; institutional capacity assessment; database design and development.
GIZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) (2018): Gender Safeguards for the Kimberley Process
We developed a policy briefing on gender mainstreaming in the Kimberley Process, drawing on case study research in Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire. We delivered practical recommendations for policy and process reform to strengthen gender safeguards within this international certification framework for conflict diamonds. | Read more
Key capabilities brought by Levin Sources: gender analysis in mining contexts; policy development expertise; knowledge of international certification frameworks; multi-country comparative analysis.
Confidential Luxury Jeweller (2016-2018): Assessment of Environmental Supply Chain Impacts for Diamonds
We adapted a multinational client's Environmental Profit and Loss (EP&L) framework to suit the realities of the ASM diamond sector. We then used the framework to select countries of origin and determine the per-carat and per-kilo environmental impacts of diamond mining, providing the client with critical environmental data for supply chain management.
Key capabilities brought by Levin Sources: environmental impact assessment methodology; ASM-specific environmental analysis; supply chain transparency; responsible sourcing frameworks.
GIZ (Gold & Illicit Financial Flows Project) (2016): Illicit Financial Flows in Sierra Leone ASGM
As part of the Gold and Illicit Financial Flows (GIFF) Project, we undertook a comprehensive study of illicit financial flows around the ASGM sector in Sierra Leone. We addressed core issues, including production estimates, turnover and profit, tracking where gold originated and where it was destined, and analysing the extent to which monies from gold were absorbed back into mining communities. | Read more
Key capabilities brought by Levin Sources: ASGM value chain tracking; illicit financial flows analysis; economic impact assessment; community economic benefit analysis.
GIZ West Africa Programme (2012): Scoping Study of ASM in the Mano River Union
We provided GIZ's West Africa programme with a rapid overview study on artisanal mining in Liberia and Sierra Leone. We profiled key sectoral development issues, challenges and opportunities, and identified intervention opportunities for donors and the Mano River Union on regional ASM governance and coordination.
Key capabilities brought by Levin Sources: rapid assessment methodology; multi-country comparative analysis; regional governance expertise; donor programme support.
Tiffany & Co. Foundation and the World Bank’s PROFOR Trust Fund (2012): ASM in Protected Areas and Critical Ecosystems—Gola Forest Case Study (in partnership with RSPB and WWF)
We produced a situational analysis of ASM of gold and diamonds in and around the Malema and Nomo areas of Sierra Leone's Gola Rainforest National Park. Using scientific knowledge, participatory methods and rights-based approaches, we worked with miners and their communities to design sustainable, win-win solutions for balancing conservation and development interests. Rather than working in opposition to mining communities, we engaged directly with miners to identify pathways where mining livelihoods and environmental protection could coexist. | Read more
Key capabilities brought by Levin Sources: ASM-conservation nexus expertise; participatory research methods; community engagement; rights-based approaches to development; protected area management.
Levin Sources also regularly speaks on Sierra Leone's minerals sector at international conferences, sharing insights from our extensive field experience to advance understanding of sustainable artisanal mining development.
Publications and further experience
Our work in Sierra Leone has contributed to a substantial body of knowledge on artisanal mining, diamonds, and sustainable minerals development. Key publications include:
- International Experiences with ASM Rehabilitation (Estelle Levin for the Asia Foundation, 2014)—a comparative study of approaches to environmental rehabilitation in artisanal mining sectors
- Diamond in Sierra Leone (2006)—analysis of the diamond sector and opportunities for sustainable development
- Artisanal Diamond Trading Schemes (2011)—examination of formalisation and certification approaches for artisanal diamond trading
- From Poverty and War to Prosperity and Peace: Sustainable Livelihoods and Innovation in Governance of Artisanal Diamond Mining in Kono District, Sierra Leone (2005)—analysis of governance innovation and livelihood sustainability in Sierra Leone's diamond sector
- Dealing for Development: A Study of Diamond Marketing and Pricing in Sierra Leone (2006)—analysis of diamond value chains and pricing mechanisms
- Artisanal Diamond Cooperatives in Sierra Leone: Success or Failure (2008)—examination of cooperative models for artisanal diamond miners
- Building Peace with Conflict Diamonds: Merging Security and Development in Sierra Leone (2009)—analysis of the linkages between diamond mining and conflict, and pathways to peace-building through responsible mineral development
- Mechanisation of Alluvial Artisanal Diamond Mining (for Diamonds and Development Initiative)—technical analysis of mechanisation impacts and opportunities
- Property Rights and Artisanal Diamond Development (PRADD Project, 2010)—comparative analysis of legal and fiscal regimes for artisanal diamond mining
- Environmental Reclamation Approaches in Tongo Fields and Kono District (2007)—field studies of environmental reclamation in artisanal mining areas
Additionally, we have conducted extensive research on environmental rehabilitation approaches for ASM, property rights frameworks for artisanal miners, and the political economy of artisanal diamond mining in Sierra Leone that has informed policy and programme development by governments and development organisations.
