With New Seaport…CTC Mining Company Ltd to Export 7.5 Million Tonnes of Bauxite in 2025
May 12, 2025
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Bymohamedj.bah@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In a major stride for Sierra Leone’s mining and export economy, President Julius Maada Bio has announced that the newly commissioned CTC multi-functional seaport is projected to export
7.5 million tonnes of bauxite in 2025
, following a target of five million tonnes this year.
Speaking at the official opening of the CTC Ports and Logistics Limited facility on Friday, May 9, in Maforki Chiefdom, Port Loko District, President Bio hailed the port as a game-changer for the country’s mineral export capabilities. The port, privately built and operated, is part of a $200 million investment led by CTC Mining and its logistics subsidiary, and is
50% Sierra Leonean-owned
.“This is more than a port—it’s a gateway to global trade,” the President said. “CTC Mining has not only built infrastructure; they’ve built confidence in Sierra Leone’s investment climate.”
Since winning the Port Loko bauxite concession in November 2022, CTC Mining has rapidly transformed the region’s logistics landscape—starting with vessel shipments and now delivering a state-of-the-art export port. The port features a
32-kilometre dedicated haul road, a high-capacity export terminal
, and full integration into national and international supply chains.
President Bio praised the swift development as a bold reflection of Sierra Leone’s openness to investment, highlighting his government’s work in creating a stable, secure, and incentive-driven environment for investors.
But the President went further—calling on mining companies to
Move beyond raw exports
. “We must stop simply feeding global industries. Let us refine, process, and build capacity right here at home,” he emphasized. “This is why our local content policy and skills development initiatives are key. Sierra Leoneans must be part of the value chain.”
The commissioning drew high-profile attendance, including
CTC Mining CEO Hisham Mackie
, who lauded the project as a manifestation of President Bio’s ‘Tok and Do’ governance approach.
“This port is not just steel and concrete—it is a symbol of Sierra Leone’s potential to lead in logistics and trade in the region,” Mackie said. He affirmed the port’s design as a long-term investment in the country’s export economy, noting that it was developed in close coordination with both national and international partners.
The project also earned praise from
Chinese Ambassador Qing Wang
, who described it as a “milestone in Sierra Leone’s infrastructure journey,” and a testament to the strong ties between Sierra Leone and China. The port’s development is among the visible dividends of President Bio’s recent state visit to Beijing.
According to
Mines and Mineral Resources Minister Julius Mattai
, the new seaport marks “a gateway to investment and national growth,” completed in record time and boasting a
Shipping capacity of eight million tonnes annually
The Minister of Transport and the Paramount Chief of Port Loko echoed this sentiment, celebrating the port’s potential to connect local communities and industries to the global marketplace.
With the commissioning of the CTC port, Sierra Leone is not only boosting its export figures—it’s laying the groundwork for a more
Diversified, value-added economy
Rooted in infrastructure, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
