Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, successfully led a technical delegation at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) 2025, which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The three-day event, held from January 14, 2025, at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, gathered Government officials, international organizations and industry stakeholders to discuss and shape the future of the global minerals sector.
The Sierra Leone delegation included prominent figures such as Ing. Hadji Dabo, Director-General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA); Joseph Lebbie, Acting Director of Geological Survey at NMA; and Alusine Timbo, Deputy Director of Mines at NMA. They were accompanied by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mohammed S. Barrie.
On the opening day, the delegation participated in the 4th FMF’s Ministerial Roundtable (MRT), moderated by Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security of the Republic of Sierra Leone. During the roundtable, the Mines Minister highlighted Sierra Leone’s exceptional geology and vast array of mineral resources.
In his address, Julius Daniel Mattai underscored the growing importance of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and graphite, particularly in the context of modern technologies, global economies and national security. He also addressed the challenges facing Sierra Leone’s mining sector, including the lack of value addition, limited exploration investments and insufficient infrastructure. The Minister emphasized the need for robust international collaboration to overcome those challenges and unlock investment opportunities that could foster sustainable growth in the sector.
The FMF provided Sierra Leone with a valuable platform to engage with global stakeholders, explore policy and investment opportunities and build strategic partnerships to advance the country’s national development. Beyond the MRT, the delegation also participated in the International Geological Survey Meeting (IGSM), which promotes global cooperation in geological surveying.
The outcomes of the FMF are poised to play a crucial role in helping Sierra Leone unlock investments in critical minerals, accelerate infrastructure development and establish resilient and sustainable value chains within the mining sector. As the forum concluded, Sierra Leone further solidified its position as a key player in the global minerals market, leveraging its rich resources to drive long-term economic growth and national prosperity.
