Germany's Federal Minister of Development and Economic Cooperation, Dirk Niebel together with other officials from his ministry, yesterday visited the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources to get firsthand information about the cadastre and repository system.

Sierra Leone's Minister of Mineral Resources, Minkailu Mansaray, welcomed the delegation and informed Minister Niebel that the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) played a key role in the establishment of the repository system in Sierra Leone which enhances efficiency, transparency and accountability as it enables would-be investors to access valuable information without leaving their respective countries.

"The establishment of the cadastre and repository system is an indication of our willingness as a nation to catch up with international best practices and we will welcome advice from you in achieving it," Mansaray said adding that the system is a public document for anyone who needs any information on mining activities in Sierra Leone. He also stated that since the system was put in place, the information it provides has not been challenged by anyone.

Mr. Niebel stated that he was impressed and satisfied with the system and suggested that agreements on land lease should be added in the repository. He later presented a special gift as a sign of appreciation to the Mines minister.

In his presentation about the cadastre and repository system, Mines Engineer, Alusine Timbo, explained that the repository is a web-based portal in which government's natural resources information are published for review by stakeholders.

"The repository contains all active and historical industrial mining, exploration and reconnaissance licences, all mining rights applications, exporter and dealer licences, royalty payments and payment information from 2010 onwards," he stated.

The previous night, at a reception organised in his honour at the Bintumani Hotel by the German Ambassador in Sierra Leone, Mr. Rudiger John, the visiting Mr. Niebel appreciated Sierra Leone for being the first African country to set up an online repository system.