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Published 20 Apr, 2012 11:59am

Inside Sierra Leone

A glimpse into life in Sierra Leone, which has been in the news recently for a revolt started by mine workers in Bumbuna, and employees of African Minerals. The rioting left one woman dead and several injured.

The rioting began on Tuesday and went through into Wednesday. The mood calmed down by Thursday, although local people said African Minerals staff had not returned to work.

African Minerals' shares traded fractionally lower at 566 pence in early London dealings.

African Minerals made its first trial shipment of ore from Tonkolili mine in November last year. Shipments from the mine are due to helpSierra Leoneto what the IMF estimates at 35.9 percent growth this year, one of the highest rates in the world.

The rioting began with a protest over pay and conditions, with locals aggrieved by what they said were the higher wages received by expatriates.

Sierra Leone, which will hold presidential elections in November, recently stirred controversy with the purchase of $4.5 million of weaponry for its police force, including heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. – Text and photos by Reuters

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