For decades, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has played a central role in the rural economy of Sierra Leone, particularly the diamond-rich region of Kono. The labour-intensive process of extracting alluvial diamonds has employed thousands and shaped the economic and social fabric of the area. But as diamond deposits deplete, miners and their families are increasingly being forced to find alternative livelihoods, particularly agriculture. This transition is challenging, as there is limited access to land, finance, and inadequate policy support from the government.

Dr Felix Marco Conteh from the Lancaster Environment Centre, together with Professor Roy Maconachie from the University of Bath, have published a review of the issues and opportunities these mining communities face in transitioning to other livelihoods, including agriculture.

Historically, miners could find high-quality diamonds in shallow pits, but current extraction requires the use of expensive machinery to dig deeper. Such mechanisation, although efficient, has accelerated the depletion of diamonds, making traditional ASM unviable and forcing miners to look for alternative employment.

Although agriculture has always been practised alongside mining, the rising cost of living has rekindled interest in full-time farming. However, accessing land remains a formidable challenge, with large swathes degraded by decades of mining and basic agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and equipment requiring a level of capital investment few former miners can afford.

Government and development partners have tried to address these challenges, but many of their initiatives have been hindered by inadequate funding and a lack of planning for long-term sustainability, the researchers found. However, a promising example can be found in the Yormata Youth Farmers Association, a group of young entrepreneurs using research, local support, and strategic investments to establish a poultry farming business. By securing funding from international agencies and land from local authorities, they are a prime example of how post-mining communities can successfully transition into agriculture.

The authors suggest several approaches governments can adopt to aid former miners in moving to agriculture:

· Strengthen policy frameworks to increase access to land, finance, and agricultural training

· Prioritise the development of infrastructure including irrigation systems and storage

· Enforce local content policies to ensure mining companies engage with local businesses

· Support community-driven initiatives to encourage innovation and self-reliance

Dr Conteh said: “In addition to government and development partner initiatives which have had limited impacts in support miners making the transition, we show how solutions can also be found within communities, including by leveraging linkages between small businesses and large-scale mining companies, which have historically operated as enclaves in Kono.”

As Sierra Leone grapples with these emerging challenges, Dr Conteh continued, former mining communities should not be left behind. By developing local entrepreneurship, improving policy frameworks, and investing in infrastructure, Sierra Leone can create new economic opportunities away from diamond mining and build a more resilient rural economy.

The paper, published in The Extractive Industries and Society journal, can be found here