The Struggles of Stone Miners at No. 2 River

By Musa Paul Feika

At Quarry Jaffe Town, No. 2 River, a stone miner, Rugiatu Mansaray a single mother of four shares the harsh reality of life in this part of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Now in her 40s, Rugiatu has been engaged in stone mining for the past three years, a job she took up after her husband, Alfred Kanu, fell ill.

“When my husband got sick, I had no other option but to start stone mining. Initially, we lived on the outskirts of Freetown, but we moved here when he became ill,” she explained.

She described the painful and physically demanding nature of her work.

“This job causes severe chest pain, waist pain, and a burning sensation in my body. Sometimes, when I hammer the stones, they hit my ankles, and particles enter my eyes. It’s really painful, but I have no choice,” she said.

No. 2 River, situated on the Freetown Peninsula, is known for its stunning beach and tourist attractions. However, beyond its beauty lies a community struggling with poverty and a lack of basic necessities. Stone mining and quarrying have become a last resort for many unemployed parents in the area, despite the risks involved.

The demand for construction materials has led to an increase in small scale stone mining, mostly done manually without mechanization. Many men and women engage in this backbreaking work just to survive.

Although mechanized stone mining can be profitable, those in communities like No. 2 River, Bobor, Adonkia, and Metchem rely on traditional, labor-intensive methods, making it a grueling job. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated greenbelt areas to prevent deforestation and environmental damage, but miners continue to work in difficult conditions.

For many women, mining is a means of survival, not a choice.

Rugiatu Mansaray said she struggles to provide for her family.

“Before I even start working, I have to find NLe 10 to buy food for my children. But even with that, the food isn’t enough to last the day. This work is painful, especially when breaking the stones,” she said.

With her husband unable to work, she often has to hire men to transport the stones to her site, adding to her financial burden.

“As women, we suffer more in this work because it requires a lot of strength. The men have it easier because they are stronger. We depend on those who are financially stable, working for them to make ends meet. But I thank God that at least I can take care of my family,” she added.

Despite the hardships, she has no plans to quit, as she has no other means to support her children.

Another single mother, Fatmata Kamara, has been in the stone mining business for five years. She turned to mining after her husband left her for another woman, leaving her with three children.

“I started this job when my children’s school fees increased. At first, I was paying NLe 500, but suddenly it went up to NLe 1,500. Things are getting tougher, and I have no choice but to do this to survive,” she said.

She has suffered numerous injuries, and the physical toll is immense.

“Sometimes, I feel sharp pains in my bones, and my body aches. But if I stop working, my children will not survive. I have no one to help me, so I just have to endure it,” she lamented.

Alfred Unisa, a long-time miner at Jaffe Town Quarry, has been in the trade for 20 years.

“Mining is tough. We lack essential tools like charcoal, hammers, and firewood. Sometimes, the stones hit and injure me, or I accidentally strike myself with the hammer. But I have no option but to endure,” he said.

Despite the dangers, he sees stone mining as a form of self-employment.

“We cannot always rely on the government for everything. As citizens, we need to create jobs for ourselves,” he stated.

While stone mining provides a livelihood for many and helps reduce crime rates, the poverty faced by miners and their families highlights the need for urgent support. Providing basic necessities and alternative job opportunities could help ease their struggles.