The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Fatmata Mustapha, a spotter at FG Gold Mining Company in Baomahun, Valunia Chiefdom, Bo District, following a fatal grader accident on 3 October 2026.
The investigation, led by Ing. Osman Conteh, aims to establish the sequence of events that led to the incident, identify possible safety lapses, and recommend measures to prevent similar workplace fatalities.
As part of its inquiry, the Ministry’s investigative team engaged police officers, company representatives from the Health and Safety and Human Resources departments, medical personnel and eyewitnesses to obtain accounts of the incident.
Evidence gathered during the investigation indicates that the accident occurred while road construction activities were ongoing at the mining site. Accounts presented to the team suggest that Fatmata may have approached the grader operator to signal him to stop or reverse as the machine was operating in an area where other vehicles were approaching.
Peter Baidoo, a site foreman and MMU operator who witnessed the incident, told investigators that he saw the grader approaching Fatmata but was unable to intervene before the situation escalated. He said he subsequently alerted colleagues through WhatsApp after encountering difficulties making a regular telephone call because of limited data connectivity.
Mark Murray, a paramedic at the company’s clinic, informed the team that Fatmata sustained fatal crush injuries from the grader’s front wheel. He said the scene was secured and cordoned off following the incident.
Murray also disclosed that the grader operator, Samuel IT Clinton, underwent drug and alcohol tests, both of which returned negative results. The operator was subsequently taken into police custody for further investigation. The company, he added, arranged mental health support for workers and others affected by the tragedy.
Inspector Menjor, Crime Officer at Baomahun Police Station, said police became aware of the incident after observing community members rushing towards the FG Gold site. Officers visited the scene after confirming the fatality, arrested the operator and informed senior police officials. Traffic officers from Bo later conducted further investigations.
In his statement to the investigative team, Clinton said he had carried out the machine’s pre-start checks before commencing work. He explained that he had taken over the grader from another operator and was grading the road and constructing drainage channels when he noticed Fatmata signalling him to stop because other vehicles were approaching.
Clinton said he stopped the machine and began reversing while checking his mirrors but could not explain how Fatmata came under the grader. He expressed remorse over her death, describing the incident as traumatic and voicing concern about the welfare of her family and the future of her children.
The Ministry’s investigation has also brought attention to the human and social consequences of the fatality. Fatmata’s husband, Mustapha Bundu, told the team that he was away at work when the accident occurred and learnt of his wife’s death after returning home.
Bundu acknowledged the assistance provided by FG Gold Mining Company, including transportation and financial support for the burial, as well as subsequent assistance to the family. However, he appealed for further support towards the education of his children and, if possible, employment for a family member to help sustain their livelihood.
The inquiry forms part of the Ministry’s responsibility to investigate workplace accidents, establish their contributing factors and recommend measures to improve occupational safety and protect workers.
The findings are expected to inform recommendations aimed at strengthening safety procedures around heavy equipment, improving risk management during road construction and reducing the likelihood of similar incidents at workplaces.
The Ministry’s investigation remains central to determining the circumstances surrounding Fatmata’s death and identifying the preventive measures needed to safeguard workers in Sierra Leone’s mining and construction sectors.
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