By Emma Black
Sierra Leone’s deputy minister of mines and mineral resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has called for greater value addition, beneficiation, and diversification in global mineral production during his participation in the Future Minerals Forum held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January 13 to 15.
Speaking at the high-level gathering, the Deputy Minister represented Sierra Leone among more than 100 governments and over 70 of the world’s largest mining companies, highlighting the country’s position in shaping the future of the global mining industry. The forum, which began five years ago with just 35 participating countries, has rapidly grown into one of the world’s most influential mining platforms described by a Canadian delegate as the Davos of mining.
During the Ministerial Roundtable, Koroma urged the international community to move beyond the long-standing practice of exporting raw minerals from Africa for processing elsewhere. He called for the establishment of manufacturing and processing facilities in mineral-producing countries, particularly across Africa, where most of the raw materials originate.
He emphasized that value addition and beneficiation on the African continent are critical not only for economic growth but also for protecting global supply chains. According to discussions at the forum, the growing concentration of mineral processing in a few countries poses future risks, especially amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.
There was a strong consensus that concentrating mineral production in a small number of countries is dangerous, Koroma noted, echoing concerns raised by other speakers. “Such concentration could allow finished mineral products to be used as tools of economic and political dominance.”
The Deputy Minister also joined fellow African Ministers of Mines at the Africa Minerals Strategy Group Roundtable, where discussions were held with the World Bank and key industry stakeholders on strategies to unlock Africa’s vast and largely untapped mineral potential.
At the roundtable, Koroma called for greater collaboration in geological exploration, stressing the need for accurate data on Africa’s mineral reserves and quantities. He said improved exploration would strengthen African countries’ ability to negotiate fairer agreements and make informed decisions regarding mineral exploitation.
The forum concluded with renewed calls for responsible mining practices, balancing increased production with strong environmental protection measures.
Following the conference, Deputy Minister Koroma traveled to the holy city of Mecca, where he performed Umrah, reaffirming his faith in Islam.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 19th January 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
