Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resourecs Sierra Leone

06/08/2026

Press Release , August 2026

05/08/2026

WORLD BANK CONSULTS MINISTRY OF MINES ON SIERRA LEONE'S NEW COUNTRY PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK

FREETOWN, Aug. 4, 2026– The World Bank on Tuesday held consultations with Sierra Leone's Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources as part of preparations for its new Country Partnership Framework, a strategic document that will guide the Bank's support to the country over the coming years.

The meeting, held at the Ministry's Conference Room in Freetown, brought together officials from the World Bank, the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, and the National Mineral Agency to discuss priority areas for collaboration in strengthening the mining sector and supporting sustainable economic growth.

World Bank Country Manager Abdu Muwonge said the Country Partnership Framework is being developed through extensive consultations with government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure it reflects Sierra Leone's national development priorities.

He explained that the new framework is anchored on three key pillars: improving foundational infrastructure, strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, and promoting private sector investment. He added that cross-cutting priorities, including youth employment, gender equality, social inclusion, skills development, and human capital, will remain central to the Bank's support programme.

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Julius D. Mattai welcomed the World Bank's continued engagement and outlined the Ministry's reform agenda aimed at transforming Sierra Leone's mining sector into a stronger driver of inclusive economic growth. He highlighted ongoing efforts by the Ministry and the National Mineral Agency to improve governance, strengthen regulation, and attract responsible investment.

Minister Mattai also underscored the need to increase the participation of Sierra Leonean investors in the mining industry alongside foreign investment, noting that broader local participation is essential to maximizing the sector's contribution to national development.

Energy remains one of the sector's most pressing challenges, Hon. Mattai said, stressing that reliable and affordable electricity is critical to achieving the Government's ambition of promoting mineral beneficiation, value addition, and downstream processing of Sierra Leone's critical minerals.

Responding to the concerns, Mr. Muwonge pointed to the potential of renewable energy, particularly solar power, as a viable solution to support mining operations while advancing the country's sustainable development objectives.

The discussions concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to continued collaboration as the World Bank finalises its Country Partnership Framework, with the shared goal of unlocking greater economic opportunities and ensuring the sustainable development of Sierra Leone's mining sector.

21/07/2026

30/06/2026

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Honourable Julius Daniel Mattai, closes African Energy Forum (16-19 June 2026) engagement with a continental call: power the mines, build the processing hubs, and let African minerals become African prosperity.

23/06/2026

Recap: Africa Energy Forum, 16- 19 June 2026, Cape Town, South Africa.

23/06/2026

Recap: Africa Energy Forum, 16- 19 June 2026, Cape Town, South Africa, Day 1.

17/06/2026

MINISTERS OF MINES AND ENERGY REPRESENT SIERRA LEONE AT AFRICA ENERGY FORUM 2026 IN CAPE TOWN

Sierra Leone's Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Julius Daniel Mattai, and Minister of Energy, Hon. Cyril Arnold Grant, are leading the country's delegation to the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) 2026, taking place from 16–19 June 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Also accompanying the delegation are the Director of Policy, Dr. John D. Cooper at the Ministry of Mines, Director of Communication and Community Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim S. Kamara at the NMA and other senior government officials from both the Ministries of Mines and Energy.

Held under the theme “Building Africa's Industrialised Future,” the Africa Energy Forum is one of the continent's premier investment and policy platforms, bringing together African governments, investors, financiers, energy leaders, mining stakeholders, and development partners to advance practical solutions that connect energy, critical minerals, infrastructure, finance, and technology for long-term economic growth.

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Julius Daniel Mattai, has placed Sierra Leone firmly at the centre of Africa's industrialisation conversation as he represents the country at the high-level gathering.

Speaking on Tuesday, 16 June, during the Ministerial Town Hall on “Regional Production Hubs to Drive Industrialisation,” Minister Mattai stated that Africa stands at a decisive moment and must convert its vast mineral wealth into broad-based industrial prosperity. He stressed that regional production hubs provide a strategic pathway for the continent to move beyond raw material exports and build competitive value chains that create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen national economies.

Minister Mattai described regional production hubs as platforms that link mines to power, power to processing, processing to transport, transport to markets, and markets to manufacturing. According to him, this integrated approach is essential if Africa is to transform its mineral endowment into industrial capability and reduce dependency on imported finished goods.

He reaffirmed Sierra Leone's commitment to beneficiation, local processing, strategic partnerships, regional integration, and value addition supported by reliable energy, transport, water, and digital infrastructure. The Minister noted that Sierra Leone is determined to position itself as a credible and forward-looking player in Africa's emerging mining and energy value chains.

Calling for a shift “from discussion to delivery,” Minister Mattai urged governments, development finance institutions, and private investors to work together in building the infrastructure and institutions required for industrial transformation. He encouraged investors to look beyond individual concessions and view mines, substations, railways, industrial parks, training centres, water systems, and processing facilities as one connected development ecosystem.

The Minister further emphasised that Africa must compete upward through coordinated value chains, reliable power, stronger institutions, and skilled labour. He noted that partnerships with global capital, technology, and trade must build capability rather than dependency, ensuring that the age of critical minerals becomes an age of African industrialisation.

Also speaking at the forum, Sierra Leone's Minister of Energy, Hon. Cyril Arnold Grant, underscored the need for innovative solutions to address Africa's energy challenges. He observed that energy access must stimulate development, adding that access without development is insufficient. Minister Grant also referenced ongoing discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency on the potential role of small modular reactors as part of the innovative options Africa may consider in meeting future energy demands.

The participation of Ministers Mattai and Grant reflects Sierra Leone's growing visibility in continental discussions on mining, energy, infrastructure, and investment. Throughout the forum, the delegation is engaging with public and private sector leaders to promote investment opportunities, strengthen strategic partnerships, enhance local processing capacity, power downstream mining operations, and expand Africa's role in global value chains.

The joint participation of the Ministries of Mines and Mineral Resources and Energy demonstrates the Government of Sierra Leone's commitment to leveraging the country's abundant mineral and energy resources to drive industrialisation, sustainable economic growth, energy security, and inclusive national development.

05/06/2026

HON. JULIUS D. MATTAI PARTICIPATES IN HIGH-LEVEL SPIEF 2026 PANEL ON CRITICAL MINERALS AND RARE EARTH METALS

St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, June 2026

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Julius D. Mattai, participated as a panelist at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026 during a high-level discussion themed “Rare and Strategic: Sovereignty and International Cooperation in the Field of Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals.”

The panel convened government leaders from around the world to discuss the growing strategic significance of rare earth elements and critical minerals in supporting the global energy transition, technological innovation, and industrial development.

Speaking during the session, Hon. Mattai highlighted Sierra Leone’s commitment to responsible mineral resource governance and the sustainable development of its growing portfolio of critical minerals. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that mineral-rich countries derive greater economic value from their resources through local content development, value addition, skills transfer, and industrialization.

The Minister noted that as demand for critical minerals continues to rise globally, there is a need for stronger international cooperation to develop resilient, transparent, and sustainable supply chains. He stressed that while nations must safeguard their sovereignty over natural resources, collaboration between producing and consuming countries remains essential for ensuring mutual benefits and long-term stability in the sector.

Hon. Mattai further called for increased investment in Africa’s mining infrastructure, geological research, human capital development, and downstream processing capabilities, noting that these investments are critical to unlocking the continent’s full potential in the critical minerals value chain.

The discussion also explored approaches to balancing national interests with international partnerships, promoting responsible sourcing standards, strengthening supply chain security, and fostering innovation in the extraction and processing of critical minerals.

The Minister’s participation at SPIEF 2026 underscores Sierra Leone’s growing role in global conversations on critical minerals and reflects the Government’s commitment to leveraging the mining sector as a driver of economic transformation, industrial growth, and sustainable development.