Sierra Leone: Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has re-echoed calls for Sierra Leone to intensify investment in mineral exploration and value addition, stressing that the country must not only own reliable data on its mineral prospects but also process its resources before export.
Koroma delivered the address at the closing ceremony of the four-day Mining Week, organized by the Ministry of Mines in collaboration with the National Minerals Agency and other government institutions.
A long-time advocate for increased national autonomy in mineral extraction and processing, the Deputy Minister urged development partners and investors to support Sierra Leone’s aspirations without delay.
“The week has provided a true moment of introspection and retrospection on how we govern our mineral resources to create prosperity for both present and future generations,” he said.
His remarks summarized the central theme of discussions throughout the event, where stakeholders agreed that Sierra Leone must break the cycle of exporting raw minerals while importing debt. The consensus underscored the need for a shift toward value addition, ensuring that mineral wealth translates into sustainable development and economic resilience.
Mining Week brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and community representatives to deliberate on strategies for responsible resource governance. The event highlighted opportunities for investment in exploration, data management, and downstream processing, positioning Sierra Leone to maximize benefits from its mineral endowment.