The Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with the National Minerals Agency (NMA) yesterday Tuesday 19th May, 2026 held a special press conference on the Sierra Leone Mining Week 2026 at the Freetown International Conference center, Aberdeen, Freetown.
Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai described Mining Week 2026 as a major national platform designed to shape the future of Sierra Leone’s mining industry through dialogue, policy engagement, exhibitions, and stakeholder collaboration. He emphasized that although the country is richly endowed with mineral resources, the country must ensure that its mineral wealth translates into tangible benefits for citizens.
The Minister noted that the Ministry is constitutionally mandated to manage the country’s minerals “effectively, efficiently, transparently, and sustainably” on behalf of the people.
According to the Minister, Mining Week was introduced to bridge the information gap between government, investors, mining companies, communities, and citizens by improving public understanding of mineral governance and the role of mining in national development.
He said the event would also serve as an educational platform for young Sierra Leoneans through exhibitions, school participation, panel discussions, and stakeholder engagements.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure Sierra Leone’s mineral wealth creates shared prosperity, equitable benefits, transparency, and national development for all citizens rather than benefiting only a few,” Mr. Mattai stated.
Chief Technical Officer of Leone Rock Metal Group (LRMG) Salim Sillah said Sierra Leone’s mining sector is currently witnessing one of its strongest periods of investment growth in more than two decades. He pointed to significant capital inflows, increased operational mining activities, and growing investor confidence in the sector.
According to him, mining companies are making major contributions to local communities through Community Development Agreements (CDAs), Community Development Funds, and other social investment initiatives.
He attributed Sierra Leone’s improved attractiveness to investors to government reforms, including reduced investment barriers, simplified licensing processes, one-stop-shop services, improved transparency through online information systems, and stronger security of tenure for mining licenses.
He also highlighted improved relations between mining companies and host communities, noting that reforms such as early community engagement, payment of surface rents, respect for community rights, and improved conflict resolution mechanisms have reduced tensions and strengthened trust among stakeholders. He stressed the importance of value addition and beneficiation, urging Africa to move beyond exporting raw minerals and instead prioritize local mineral processing to create jobs and increase economic returns.
He encouraged the public to actively participate in Mining Week by engaging directly with mining companies and learning more about how the sector operates and contributes to national development.
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