Gold and diamond exports out of Sierra Leone plummeted by almost 50% in the first half of 2015, which the National Minerals Agency (NMA) attributes largely to the devastation wrought on the mining industry with the outbreak of Ebola.
According to a statement by NMA, gold exports went from 11 751 grams in January to 3 900 grams in June and July with revenues falling from U$433 000 to US$132 000.
"The 297% drop in gold exports is not unexpected given that the deadly Ebola virus was raging through the countryside by then, driving the workforce from the mining fields and mine owners from the country," NMA said.
Diamond exports dropped from a high of 64.5 thousand carats in April to 35.6 thousand carats in July.
Ebola has major effect on gold and diamond exports
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