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London Mining Plc

In 2016, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office opened an investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption within a mining company in Sierra Leone.  These allegations related to irregularities concerning the company executives and their consultants.

On 2 June 2023, following the seven-year investigation, the SFO announced it had brought charges against three former employees of London Mining Plc. Chief Executive Officer Graeme Hossie,  Chief Financial Officer Rachel Rhodes and a consultant Ariel Armon were summoned to court to answer charges of conspiring to pay bribes to individuals in Sierra Leone to secure preferential treatment for collapsed company, London Mining Plc.

Graeme Hossie and Rachel Rhodes were charged in relation to two counts of corruption between the years of 2009 to 2012 and then 2010 to 2014.

Ariel Armon was charged for one count in relation to corruption between the years of 2010 to 2014.

The SFO alleges that Hossie, Rhodes and Armon paid bribes in Sierra Leone so that London Mining would receive favourable treatment in the progression of the mining business. 

All three were summoned to Westminster Magistrates court and released on conditional bail to appear before Southwark Crown Court on 14 July 2023.

On Friday 14th July 2023 the three defendants appeared at Southwark Crown court for the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) and a trial date was set for January 2025. Following a Further Case Management Hearing on 17th October 2024 the Judge made the decision to adjourn the trial. The provisional trial date is now 7th April 2026. This rescheduling was outside the SFO’s control and in part due to Court availability. The next Further Case Management Hearing is scheduled for 31st January 2025.

Page published on 2 Jun 2023 | Page modified on 29 Oct 2024