Sierra Leone: Another Round of Mining Difficulties?

Say the word “mining” in the context of Sierra Leone, and thoughts instantly turn to the country's ruinous trade in conflict diamonds. However, the mining of another mineral - rutile - is also the source of some controversy in this West African state. Recently, the rutile sector received a boost when the European Union allocated almost 31 million dollars to fund the resumption of mining in southern Sierra Leone by the Sierra Rutile company. But, while the government is eager to have the rutile mines back in operation, certain environmental activists don't share its enthusiasm.