By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone has taken a significant step toward strengthening investment, transparency and responsible development in its mining sector, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Sierra Leone and International Resources Holding RSC Ltd (IRH). The agreement was signed on February 4, 2026, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, by the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius D. Mattai, on the margins of the World Governments Summit.
Sierra Leone participated in a high-level summit alongside global leaders, policymakers and private-sector stakeholders under the theme: “Shaping Future Governments.” The MoU marks a strategic partnership aimed at exploring and fast-tracking responsible, investment-ready opportunities within Sierra Leone’s mineral sector, while reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable resource governance.
The agreement was signed during the World Governments Summit held from February 3 to 5, 2026, through the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources. Minister Julius Daniel Mattai was accompanied by Dr. John D. Cooper, Director of Policy and Research at the Ministry and Dr. Kelvin Anderson, Deputy Director-General of the National Minerals Agency. IRH was represented by its Group Chief Operating Officer, Ravi Sharma, while the engagement process was coordinated by Solomon Kasirye, IRH Manager for Business Development.
Government officials say the MoU underscores Sierra Leone’s determination to manage its mineral wealth in a transparent, sustainable and value-driven manner. The partnership is expected to create pathways for foreign direct investment, technology transfer and local capacity building, while aligning mining activities with international best practices in environmental protection, corporate responsibility and community engagement.
The framework allows the two parties to explore cooperation in mineral exploration, development and downstream value addition. It places strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement, including host communities and national institutions, to ensure that mining projects advance in a socially responsible and environmentally sound manner.
Speaking after the signing, Julius Daniel Mattai reaffirmed the Government’s resolve to ensure that Sierra Leone’s vast mineral resources translate into inclusive economic growth, job creation and long-term national development. He noted that the agreement aligns with the development priorities of President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers Agenda, particularly in driving economic transformation through responsible natural resource governance.
According to the Minister, positioning Sierra Leone as a credible and reliable destination for mining investment requires partnerships that prioritize sustainability, transparency and national benefit. He described the MoU as a foundation for long-term cooperation that balances investor confidence with the interests of local communities and environmental protection.
IRH is an Abu Dhabi-headquartered “mine-to-market” natural resources company operating across the full mining value chain, from upstream development through midstream processing to downstream distribution. The company focuses on safety, responsible mining and in-country value creation, with a strategic emphasis on energy-transition minerals such as gold, copper, cobalt, nickel, lithium, manganese, graphite and rare earth elements. Officials say this focus aligns with Sierra Leone’s ambition to move beyond export-only models toward investments that strengthen national capability and promote value addition.
The MoU establishes a non-binding and non-exclusive framework and does not grant mineral rights. Instead, it provides a structured pathway for responsible sharing of geoscientific data, evaluation of priority mineral opportunities and advancement of project pipelines. Where opportunities mature, the parties may negotiate suitable commercial frameworks, including joint ventures, subject to Sierra Leonean law and Government policy.
The agreement also reflects a modern approach to data governance and environmental, social and governance (ESG) delivery. IRH is expected to operate within Sierra Leone’s legal framework and internationally recognized ESG standards, provide periodic progress updates and share technical outputs that strengthen national geological databases and decision-making processes.
Implementation will focus on data-sharing protocols, opportunity prioritization and clear milestones, with a formal progress review expected within six months. The Mines Minister reiterated Sierra Leone’s commitment to transparent licensing, robust environmental and social safeguards and strong local content participation, welcoming IRH’s partnership as a step toward translating geology into sustainable, bankable projects that deliver shared national value.
