The city is home to a significant number of most of the country's ethnic groups and attract people from all parts of Sierra Leone, due to the rich diamond mining in the area.

The city even have a professional football club in the Sierra Leone National Premier League called the Gem Stars of Tongo.

However, the new administration of president Ernest Bai Koroma headed by his Minister of Mines and Natural Resources suspended this contract.

A letter issued by Sierra Leone Ministry of Mines and Natural Resources required them to confirm that they would restart their operations or give up their mineral rights.

The advertisement asked that in addition to providing ten completed application forms, interested parties should make a non-refundable payment of US$5,000 by bank draft to the Director of Mines.