Sierra Leone calls for sustainable mining investments at PDAC 2026

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, has called for a new era of sustainable mining investments built on genuine partnerships that align the interests of mineral-producing countries and global consumers.

Speaking at MineAfrica’s 27th Annual African Mining Breakfast and the 24th Annual Investing in African Mining Seminar during the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2026 conference, Minister Mattai urged investors and industry leaders to embrace responsible investment models that promote long-term development and shared prosperity.

Delivering a keynote address titled “Opportunity Africa: Sierra Leone’s Vision for Transformative Mining Partnership,” the Minister said Africa’s vast mineral wealth presents a major opportunity for sustainable investment, but stressed that the continent must move beyond raw extraction to value addition and responsible resource development.

“Africa holds approximately 30 percent of the world’s known mineral reserves,” he said. “However, the real opportunity lies in capturing more than the current 2 percent share of global mineral processing value.”

He noted that Sierra Leone offers strong potential for sustainable mining investment, citing its significant deposits of iron ore, rutile, bauxite, gold, lithium, rare earth minerals, coltan and diamonds, alongside direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and a stable political environment.

According to the Minister, the country is pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening responsible mining and improving the investment climate. These include formalising artisanal mining activities, enforcing strict Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, and introducing community development agreements to ensure that mining benefits local communities.

The government is also prioritising value addition and downstream processing as part of its long-term strategy. Planned initiatives include heavy mineral separation plants, gold refineries, diamond polishing facilities and the development of a Critical Minerals Special Economic Zone.

Minister Mattai emphasised the importance of building “genuine sustainable partnerships” that go beyond traditional extractive arrangements to include co-investment in infrastructure, technology transfer and long-term offtake agreements.

“Value addition is not a zero-sum game,” he told the gathering of mining executives, investors and policymakers. “When Sierra Leone benefits, so do our partners. That is the essence of Opportunity Africa.”

He also highlighted the need for fairness in the global energy transition, pointing out the gap between the extraction of minerals used in clean technologies and the development needs of producing countries.

“When Sierra Leone exports rutile for aerospace alloys and bauxite used in electric vehicles, yet only about 26 percent of our population has access to electricity, it raises important questions about equity,” he said.

The Minister urged international partners to support regional integration, infrastructure development and community-focused investments to ensure that Africa’s mineral resources contribute to inclusive growth.

His remarks reinforced the growing call across the continent for sustainable investment frameworks that balance economic returns with environmental responsibility and social development.

Minister Mattai concluded by encouraging global partners to work with Africa in shaping a more equitable and resilient mining sector driven by sustainable investment and long-term collaboration.