By Thaimu T Kamara

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, has called for responsible mining, transparency and value addition in Sierra Leone’s extractive sector as the country hosts the 2026 Sierra Leone Mining Week at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Aberdeen, Freetown.

Speaking during the opening activities of the week-long celebration, Minister Mattai said Sierra Leone’s mineral wealth must translate into meaningful development for citizens, especially communities directly affected by mining activities.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources in collaboration with the National Minerals Agency, has brought together ministers, investors, mining experts, development partners and stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to discuss the future of the mining industry.

The celebration also coincides with the 11th Ordinary Meeting of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) Council of Ministers.  

Addressing journalists, government officials and participants at the Bintumani Conference Centre, Minister Mattai described Mining Week as one of Sierra Leone’s most important national platforms for dialogue and investment promotion in the mining sector.

According to the Minister, Sierra Leone is richly blessed with mineral resources, but the focus should not only be on extraction and exportation. He emphasized the importance of managing those resources responsibly and ensuring they contribute to sustainable national development.

“Every mineral resource beneath Sierra Leone belongs to the people,” Minister Mattai stated, adding that government serves as a custodian responsible for managing the country’s resources effectively, transparently and sustainably for the benefit of citizens.  

He stressed that the government, through the Ministry of Mines and the National Minerals Agency, remains committed to strengthening regulations, improving accountability and promoting responsible mining practices across the country.

The Minister acknowledged that for many years there has been public mistrust and misinformation surrounding the mining sector, especially among communities affected by mining operations.

He explained that Mining Week was introduced to bridge that gap by creating a platform where citizens, mining companies, policymakers, civil society organisations and investors can engage openly on issues affecting the sector.  

“Mining Week is not only about exhibitions and discussions,” he noted. “It is about engaging the people, addressing concerns, sharing information and ensuring Sierra Leoneans understand how mineral resources are managed and how they can benefit from them.”

Speaking on the theme of the 2026 Mining Week celebration, “Our Mineral Resources: Responsible Mining and Value Multiplication for Shared Prosperity,” Minister Mattai emphasized the need for Sierra Leone to move beyond exporting raw minerals toward value addition and industrial processing.

Using lithium and other critical minerals as examples, he said Sierra Leone should position itself to benefit from the growing global demand for minerals used in clean energy technologies and battery manufacturing.

“We cannot continue exporting raw materials without adding value,” the Minister said. “The future lies in transforming these resources into products that create jobs, increase revenue and expand opportunities for Sierra Leoneans.”

He further highlighted the importance of shared prosperity, noting that mining revenues should support infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic growth in mining communities.

The Minister disclosed that major discussions during the Mining Week celebration will focus on mining finance, infrastructure, energy, women’s participation in mining, youth inclusion, local content policies and environmental sustainability.

International delegates attending the conference include representatives from more than 15 African countries such as Ghana, Liberia, Guinea, Namibia, South Africa, Cameroon, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside observer nations and strategic partners from other parts of the world.

The event also features exhibitions showcasing mining technology, equipment and professional services aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability within the industry.

Stakeholders attending the conference praised the government for promoting dialogue and transparency within the mining sector while encouraging responsible investment.

Mining Week 2026 is expected to strengthen Sierra Leone’s position as an emerging destination for mining investment in Africa while promoting sustainable resource management and inclusive economic growth.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 25th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)