By Sallieu S, Kanu
Freetown, May 20, 2026:The Bintumani International Conference Centre was filled to capacity this morning as Sierra Leone officially opened Mining Week 2026, alongside the 11th African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) Council of Ministers Meeting. The event brought together international investors, African mining ministers, paramount chiefs, and local stakeholders under the theme: “Our Mineral Resources: Responsible Mining, Value Multiplication and Shared Prosperity.”
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh set the tone with a direct challenge to the sector: “Where does the mining money go?” He stressed that Sierra Leoneans deserve transparency and accountability in how mineral revenues are managed, noting that while mineral exports reached US$1.12 billion in 2024, government revenue stood at only US$49.9 million.
“From a billion-dollar export sector, less than five cents of every dollar reaches the national treasury,” Dr. Jalloh said, describing the gap as evidence of “unfinished reform.”
The highlight of the opening session was the unveiling of Sierra Leone’s National Strategy for Critical Minerals 2026–2031, which sets ambitious targets.
Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, who also chairs ADPA, emphasized Sierra Leone’s rich deposits of lithium, bauxite, rutile, iron ore, gold, and rare earth elements. He declared: “Sierra Leone is open for business. Sierra Leone is not open for capture.”
Mattai outlined three guiding principles under the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2023, which enforces community development agreements, local procurement, and environmental restoration:
- “Responsible mining without value multiplication is incomplete.”
- “Value multiplication without shared prosperity is unjust.”
- “Shared prosperity without responsible governance is unsustainable.”
Significance of Mining Week 2026
Mining Week is more than a conference — it is a turning point for Sierra Leone’s extractive industry. Its significance lies in:
- Policy Reform: Reinforcing the 2023 Act as a binding “economic and ethical contract.”
- Revenue Accountability: Addressing the gap between billion-dollar exports and minimal state revenue.
- Critical Minerals Strategy: Positioning Sierra Leone to benefit from global demand for lithium, cobalt, graphite, and rare earths.
- Community Benefits: Ensuring mining wealth translates into food security, infrastructure, youth employment, and human capital development.
- Regional Leadership: Strengthening Sierra Leone’s role as ADPA Chair in shaping Africa’s mining future.
Mining Week 2026 runs from May 20–23, featuring exhibitions, panel discussions, and ministerial meetings. It signals Sierra Leone’s determination to transform mineral wealth into shared national prosperity rather than lost opportunity.