By: Saidu Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Julius Daniel Mattai, has called for stronger, transformative, and sustainable mining partnerships during the 27th Annual African Mining Breakfast and the 24th Annual Investing in African Mining Seminar, held on the sidelines of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2026 Convention in Toronto.
Addressing investors, policymakers, and mining industry leaders at events organised by MineAfrica Inc., Minister Mattai outlined Sierra Leone’s strategy to transition from exporting raw minerals to promoting value-added processing and sustainable resource management.
In his keynote address titled “Opportunity Africa: Sierra Leone’s Vision for Transformative Mining Partnership,” the Minister highlighted that Africa holds nearly 30 percent of the world’s known mineral reserves but accounts for only about two percent of global mineral processing value.
He explained that Sierra Leone is positioning itself to capture greater benefits from its abundant mineral resources, which include iron ore, rutile, bauxite, gold, lithium, rare earth elements, coltan, and diamonds. According to him, the country’s direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and its political stability make it an attractive destination for mining investment.
Minister Mattai acknowledged several challenges facing the sector, including infrastructure gaps, environmental concerns, and limited access to investment capital. However, he noted that the government is implementing reforms to address these issues.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to formalise artisanal mining, strengthen regulatory enforcement, ensure compliance with Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), and reinforce Community Development Agreements (CDAs) to improve transparency and community benefits.
The Minister also revealed plans to promote in-country mineral processing through initiatives such as the establishment of heavy mineral separation plants, gold refineries, diamond polishing facilities, and a proposed Critical Minerals Special Economic Zone.
He urged international partners to move beyond traditional extractive arrangements and embrace co-investment in infrastructure, technology transfer, long-term offtake agreements, and harmonised Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
Highlighting the global energy transition, Minister Mattai pointed to the gap between Sierra Leone’s significant mineral exports and its domestic electricity access. He noted that only about 26 percent of the population currently has access to electricity, emphasizing the need for partnerships that support industrialisation, regional integration, and community development.
The PDAC Convention is widely regarded as one of the world’s largest gatherings of mining stakeholders, bringing together governments, investors, and industry leaders to discuss emerging trends and investment opportunities in the global mining sector.
Minister Mattai’s participation forms part of Sierra Leone’s broader effort to attract responsible investment and reposition its mining industry as a key driver of sustainable economic growth.