SLCAA Inspects FG Gold’s Drone at Baomahun Mining Site

The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) inspected and observed a demonstration of FG Gold’s DJI Matrice 400 RTK drone at the company’s Baomahun mining site on Monday, 5 October 2026.

The visit formed part of the regulatory approval process for the unmanned aircraft and was intended to assess whether its planned operation meets applicable aviation safety and operational requirements.

Demonstration at Baomahun

An SLCAA officer observed a practical demonstration of the drone during the inspection. FG Gold’s surveying team introduced the aircraft, which is fitted with an H30T camera and a DJI V1 loudspeaker.

Information presented during the visit indicated that FG Gold intends to use the drone for surveying and other operational activities across the FG Gold Project. The camera system is expected to support aerial surveying and site monitoring, while the loudspeaker could be used in blast monitoring and emergency response operations.

The inspection represents an important stage in FG Gold’s process to secure approval to operate the drone at its mining site. The available information does not indicate that final regulatory approval was granted during the visit.

SLCAA oversight

The SLCAA is responsible for regulating unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, in Sierra Leone. Its oversight is intended to ensure that drone operations are conducted safely, legally and in line with national aviation regulations.

Musayeroh Barrie, the SLCAA Director General, said the exercise was part of the Authority’s continuing safety work.

“As part of our safety oversight activities, our ATR officer recently visited FG Gold Mines in Baomahun for an inspection and demonstration of its new DJI Matrice 400 drone, as part of the Authority’s regulatory oversight, safety and compliance processes,” Barrie said.

Companies, organisations and individuals seeking to operate drones in Sierra Leone are required to obtain appropriate authorisation from the SLCAA before beginning operations. The Authority has also reaffirmed the need for drone users to operate responsibly and comply with applicable aviation laws and safety requirements.