The facility, finalised during the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town, is expected to fast-track operational scaling at Meya’s diamond operations in the resource-rich Kono District, positioning the project for steadier output and improved cash flow.
Transitioning to Commercial Scale
Meya holds a long-term exclusive diamond mining licence in Kono, a district historically associated with high-value stones and volatile production cycles.
The Ecobank facility is structured to fund advanced processing equipment, mining vehicles and supporting infrastructure; critical inputs for stabilising output in diamond operations where plant reliability directly affects revenue.
Jobs, Local Value and Sector Reform
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources described the funding as an economic catalyst.
“This injection of capital will enable Meya Mining to accelerate its transition from early development to full commercial production, creating thousands of indirect opportunities, more than 90% of which will benefit local Sierra Leoneans,” Mining Minister Julius Mattai said.
The ministry stated that the project is expected to sustain more than 400 direct jobs, while stimulating local procurement and service supply chains.
Officials also indicated that the facility will deepen the national financial system and improve retention of mining-generated value within the country.
Trustco Group Holdings, the Namibian investment group founded by Dr. Quinton van Rooyen, said the funding could stimulate downstream beneficiation activities, including cutting and polishing, as Sierra Leone seeks to retain more value from its diamond resources.
Part of a Broader Capital Strategy
The Ecobank facility forms part of a wider capital framework supporting the mine. In total, Meya Mining has secured approximately $100 million in funding.
In 2023, Trustco, which previously held a majority stake, sold 70% of the asset to Sterling Global Trading for $25 million in cash and a $25 million loan.
At the time, the company indicated it expected to secure an additional $25 million from third-party capital sources.
The latest financing signals continued institutional confidence as the project enters a critical scaling phase.
