Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, has called for increased international investment in geological exploration, mineral processing, technological advancement and human capital development, stressing that the country’s vast mineral resources must be transformed into sustainable economic opportunities and lasting prosperity for its citizens.
Speaking at the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, Minister Julius Daniel Mattai outlined Sierra Leone’s determination to strengthen cooperation with Russia and other international partners to unlock its mineral potential, expand local processing capacity and position the mining industry as a major driver of national industrialization and economic transformation.
He emphasized that the mere existence of abundant mineral deposits does not guarantee economic prosperity, arguing that meaningful development requires accurate geological information, effective governance, modern technology, skilled professionals and responsible resource management.
According to the Minister, Sierra Leone possesses substantial deposits of iron ore and diamonds, alongside promising discoveries and exploration prospects involving critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and coltan.
However, he maintained that the country must deepen its understanding of its geological formations to determine the true extent, commercial viability and development potential of those resources.
“We need to understand our geology better,” Minister Julius Daniel Mattai declared, underscoring the importance of systematic geological surveys, scientific investigations and exploratory drilling to establish reliable estimates of mineral resources and reserves.
He referenced a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2024 concerning the inventory of Sierra Leone’s mineral resources, describing the initiative as an important foundation for improving geological knowledge and attracting credible investment.
The Minister explained that comprehensive geological information would enable Sierra Leone to identify prospective mineral deposits more accurately, reduce exploration risks and strengthen its negotiating position when engaging international investors.
He disclosed plans to enhance geological investigations through modern geophysical technologies, including magnetic and radiometric surveys, supported by improved geological, geochemical and geophysical databases.
Such investments, he noted, would provide both Government and private investors with reliable scientific information for making informed decisions about mineral exploration and development.
A central message of Minister Julius Daniel Mattai’s address was the urgent need for African mineral-producing countries to move beyond the traditional model of extracting and exporting raw materials without capturing their full economic value.
He argued that Sierra Leone must prioritize the development of an integrated mineral value chain encompassing exploration, extraction, beneficiation, processing, smelting, refining and, where commercially viable, manufacturing.
According to him, establishing those activities within the country would create employment opportunities, strengthen domestic industries, promote technology transfer and increase the economic benefits retained from mineral production.
The Minister stressed that Sierra Leone should not remain merely a supplier of raw materials to industrialized economies while importing finished products manufactured from its own natural resources.
Instead, he advocated partnerships that would support domestic processing facilities, develop technical expertise and establish stronger connections between the mining industry and other productive sectors of the national economy.
He acknowledged, however, that achieving these ambitions would require substantial investment in reliable electricity, transportation networks, roads, ports and other essential industrial infrastructure.
Minister Julius Daniel Mattai further highlighted the importance of maintaining a transparent, predictable and competitive investment environment capable of attracting long-term financing while safeguarding Sierra Leone’s national interests.
He indicated that the Government is reviewing aspects of the country’s mining legislation to strengthen regulatory clarity and ensure that investors operate within a stable legal and fiscal framework.
Depending on the scale and characteristics of individual investments, he explained, appropriate fiscal stability arrangements could provide additional certainty for major mining and mineral-processing projects.
At the same time, he emphasized that transparency and accountability in mining revenue management must remain fundamental priorities, ensuring that mineral wealth produces measurable improvements in public services, employment and economic development.
Turning to Africa’s broader economic prospects, Minister Julius Daniel Mattai observed that the continent’s rapidly growing population represents both a significant market and an expanding source of human capital.
With Africa’s population projected to increase from approximately 1.5 billion to 2.5 billion by 2050, he argued that the continent has considerable potential to develop competitive industries, expand domestic markets and strengthen its position in global trade.
He noted that increasing international demand for critical minerals, particularly those required for modern technologies and energy systems, presents African countries with an opportunity to negotiate more beneficial investment partnerships.
The Minister observed that much of the world’s mineral processing and refining capacity remains concentrated in China, while growing efforts to diversify global supply chains could create opportunities for African mineral-producing nations.
For Sierra Leone, he explained, the objective should be to attract investors willing to support local processing, develop infrastructure, transfer technology and strengthen the country’s long-term industrial capabilities.
Beyond mineral exploration and processing, Minister Julius Daniel Mattai placed considerable emphasis on education, scientific research and professional training as essential foundations for a competitive mining industry.
He expressed Sierra Leone’s interest in expanding academic and technical cooperation with Russian universities, research institutions and specialized training centres, particularly in geology, geophysics, chemistry, mining engineering and mineral processing.
Drawing on his educational experience in the former Soviet Union, the Minister acknowledged the longstanding contribution of academic exchanges to the development of professional expertise.
He also referenced discussions held with a Russian state university the previous day, during which opportunities for cooperation in geological education and scientific research were explored.
Potential areas of collaboration, he explained, include scholarships for Sierra Leonean students, academic staff exchanges, laboratory development, technical training and the application of artificial intelligence to geological modelling and mineral exploration.
Such initiatives could strengthen Sierra Leone’s ability to independently assess its mineral resources while reducing dependence on external technical expertise.
Minister Julius Daniel Mattai also identified energy development as an important area for cooperation, stressing that reliable and affordable electricity remains essential for establishing commercially viable mineral-processing and industrial facilities.
He maintained that international partnerships must be structured around mutual benefit, respect for national sovereignty and the creation of sustainable economic opportunities.
In a particularly striking declaration, the Minister made clear that Sierra Leone’s engagement with Russia and other global partners should not be interpreted as taking sides in international geopolitical competition.
“We are not looking East. We are not looking West. We are not looking North or South. We are looking downward into the ground to make more discovery and move forward to make sure we prosper,” he declared.
His statement reinforced Sierra Leone’s intention to pursue practical economic partnerships based on national development priorities rather than geopolitical alignments.
Minister Julius Daniel Mattai reiterated that Sierra Leone remains open to investors and development partners capable of providing the financing, scientific knowledge, advanced technologies and technical expertise required to modernize its mining industry.
He stressed that the Government’s ultimate ambition is to ensure that the country’s mineral resources become a foundation for industrial development, employment creation, skills acquisition and sustained economic growth.
The Minister’s presentation in Moscow also highlighted the broader challenge confronting mineral-rich African economies: translating natural resource endowments into tangible improvements in the living standards of their populations.
While expanded exploration and foreign investment could create new opportunities, achieving lasting benefits will depend on effective regulation, transparent revenue management, infrastructure development and meaningful participation by local businesses and professionals.
For Sierra Leone, stronger cooperation with Russia and other international partners could support these objectives, particularly if investment agreements incorporate local value addition, technical training and long-term industrial development.
Ultimately, Minister Julius Daniel Mattai’s message was that Sierra Leone’s mining sector must be judged not merely by the quantity of minerals discovered or exported, but by its contribution to job creation, economic diversification, national revenue and improved living conditions.
His call for greater geological exploration, mineral processing and skills development reflects a determination to reposition Sierra Leone from a predominantly raw-material-exporting economy towards one that captures greater value from its natural resources and uses its mineral wealth to build lasting national prosperity.
