The continuous rainfall during the rainy season has always been the biggest challenge for railway freight transportation in Sierra Leone. In previous years, the efficiency of mineral transportation significantly decreased and the volume of transportation sharply decreased during the rainy season. The CR1G project department accurately tackled the pain points of rainy season transportation, optimized the entire process operation, built a solid safety defense line, and relied on local forces to successfully break the local railway freight record during the rainy season.

Overcoming the difficulties of the rainy season

In July 2026, the ore transportation volume of the CR1G Sierra Leone Railway Operation and Maintenance Project reached 1.0133 million tons, exceeding the monthly target of 980000 tons, with a completion rate of 103.4%, an increase of 47.75% compared to the same period in 2025, setting a historical record of one million tons of transportation volume per month during the rainy season for the project. The local rainy season has heavy rainfall and lasts for a long time, and the binding of mineral materials with water will seriously slow down the efficiency of unloading, which is the core bottleneck that restricts freight transportation in the long run.

The project team has optimized the entire transportation chain in a targeted manner, equipped all mining cars with rainproof tarpaulins, streamlined the covering and removal process, and achieved full rainproof mining materials. At the same time, relying on the assistance of robotic arms for operations, we have solved the problem of mineral material bonding, significantly reduced the train's port stay time, and thoroughly improved the inefficient transportation difficulties during the rainy season.

Build a solid foundation for operation and maintenance

To ensure the safety and stability of transportation during the rainy season, the project department has carried out comprehensive flood prevention and maintenance work in advance, completed the inspection and compaction of the entire 192 kilometer line, comprehensively inspected and repaired drainage facilities, dredged silted ditches, and eliminated safety hazards such as line settlement and poor drainage. Encrypt key road section inspections and dynamically monitor the status of the route in daily operation and maintenance. In response to the high temperature and humidity environment during the rainy season, the focus is on inspecting the locomotive's electrical, running, and braking systems, and implementing a regular maintenance system. By July 2026, the utilization rate and integrity rate of locomotives in use in the project will reach 100%, laying a solid foundation for equipment safety and ensuring efficient freight transportation.

Deeply cultivate territorial construction

Rooted in the local area for more than two years, the project department continues to implement a localized talent training model, adopting a mentorship mechanism. Currently, 84.2% of local employees are employed, covering core positions such as driving control and equipment maintenance. Local employees are familiar with the local climate and route environment, actively participate in operational optimization and emergency response, and propose multiple practical optimization suggestions, greatly improving the adaptability and accuracy of rainy season transportation management. Keywords: CR1G, Sierra Leone Railway, Rainy Season Freight Transport

This breakthrough in transportation volume fully demonstrates the mature operation and maintenance capabilities and localized management achievements of the project, providing solid transportation support for local mineral transportation and economic development.Editor/Min Jing