What We Do
Services
Modular support across the precious minerals transaction cycle — drawn on individually or in combination, depending on scope, location, and complexity.
01
Precious Mineral Procurement Support
Support for clients seeking to purchase precious minerals through legitimate, properly documented channels — supplier engagement, purchase-program coordination, verification of proposed procedures, assay coordination, and documentation support.
02
Product Verification & Authenticity
Independent, on-the-ground confirmation of mineral products and prospective transactions — physical inspection, confirmation of product existence, supplier meetings and verification, testing and assay coordination, documentation review, and support for visiting client purchasing teams.
03
Documentation & Procedural Support
Coordination between commercial participants, licensed industry actors, and administrative authorities — procedural documentation, confirmation of product origin and ownership, coordination with licensed dealers and miners, and preparation for lawful export.
04
Smelting & Assay Coordination
Access to coordinated smelting and product preparation services, including doré bar casting and independent verification support, with multiple methods of product assessment where required.
05
Export & Delivery Coordination
Support for the lawful export of verified and properly documented mineral products — administrative coordination, export documentation support, logistical planning, and movement of product to the point of departure.
06
Mining, Concession & Partnership Support
In-country support for clients evaluating longer-term opportunities — local engagement, operational assessment support, relationship development, extraction oversight support, and structures for the lawful movement and export of produced mineral product.
Who We Are
An American & British team
Headquartered in Freetown, with a leadership team of American and British nationals. We combine international commercial experience with on-the-ground local capability — supporting buyers, investors, and industry partners across procurement, verification, smelting coordination, documentation, and lawful export.
Our principle is simple: verified product, documented procedures, clear accountability.
About Us
Grounded at Origin
Local Roots, Global Reach
01
Sierra Leone, at the Source
Our team operates on the ground in Freetown and across Sierra Leone’s mining areas, verifying product, confirming suppliers, and coordinating testing and assay procedures directly at the point of origin.
02
Documented, Lawful Delivery
Verified product moves from origin through export with complete documentation and administrative coordination, giving international buyers and partners visibility over every stage of the transaction.
Our Approach
Verify. Document. Execute.
We work directly at the point of origin — verifying product, confirming suppliers, coordinating testing and assay, and managing the documentation and logistics required for lawful export.
Where useful, we also support longer-term relationships with mining operations and local partners. The goal: greater visibility, stronger verification, experienced representation.
Our Team
Leadership & Operations
Our leadership and operations team combines Sierra Leonean, American, and British expertise, with a presence across Freetown and the country’s mining regions. Team photography will appear here as it becomes available.
Frank Zachar
Co-Founder & Chief Financial Officer
Frank Zachar is a Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Eighth Parallel Metals Limited, where he oversees financial strategy, corporate development, and the structuring of the company’s international operations and partnerships. Frank brings a background spanning finance, management consulting, and international business. Prior to entering the private sector full-time, he worked in management consulting with Deloitte and Ernst & Young, supporting complex organizations and institutional clients. He holds an MBA in Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. At Eighth Parallel, Frank focuses on building the financial and operational infrastructure necessary to responsibly source, purchase, and export precious metals from West Africa, while developing long-term relationships with local partners and international buyers.
Darrell Crawford-Smith
Co-Founder
Darrell Crawford-Smith is a Co-Founder of Eighth Parallel Metals Limited. He has spent many years coordinating exploratory and development-focused initiatives across Sub-Saharan and West African markets. His work centers on building relationships with government and commercial stakeholders across the region to support the company’s market entry and partnership development. He supports Eighth Parallel’s efforts to navigate regulatory and administrative processes on behalf of its private and public sector partners, and coordinates introductions between the company and relevant commercial and governmental counterparts across West and East Africa. Crawford-Smith places an emphasis on transparency, sustainability, and good governance in the company’s regional partnerships.
Every engagement is different.
Service scope, operational requirements, timelines, and commercial terms are developed according to the specific requirements of each client and transaction. Please contact Eighth Parallel Metals Limited to discuss your requirements.
Get in Touch
Contact
Whether you are evaluating a precious minerals transaction, require product verification, need support with procurement or export procedures, or wish to discuss a longer-term operating partnership, our team is available to discuss your requirements.
Eighth Parallel Metals Limited
Freetown, Sierra Leone
operations@eighthparallelmetals.com
Precious Minerals. Verified at Origin.
Freetown, Sierra Leone
© 2026 Eighth Parallel Metals Limited. All rights reserved.