On Tuesday, January 15, 2025, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, led a high-level technical delegation to the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The three-day event, which commenced on January 14, 2025, at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, serves as a global platform for government representatives, international organizations, and stakeholders to shape the future of the minerals industry.
The Sierra Leone delegation includes key officials such as Ing. Hadji Dabo, Director-General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA); Joseph Lebbie, Acting Director of Geological Survey, NMA; and Alusine Timbo, Deputy Director of Mines, NMA. They were accompanied by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Mohammed S. Barrie.
On January 14, the delegation actively participated in the 4th FMF Ministerial Roundtable (MRT) discussions. The session was moderated by Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security for Sierra Leone.
During the MRT, Minister Mattai highlighted Sierra Leone’s exceptional geology and diverse range of mineral resources. He underscored the importance of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, and graphite in powering modern technologies, driving economic growth, and bolstering national security.
Minister Mattai also addressed several challenges within Sierra Leone’s mining sector, including limited value addition, inadequate exploration investments, and insufficient infrastructure. He called for international collaboration to overcome these hurdles and unlock the sector’s investment potential.
The FMF offers Sierra Leone an opportunity to engage with global stakeholders, discuss policies and investment opportunities, and build strategic partnerships that align with the country’s national development goals.
In addition to the MRT, the delegation took part in the International Geological Survey Meeting (IGSM), an annual event focused on promoting international cooperation in geological surveys.
The expected outcomes of the FMF include unlocking investments in Sierra Leone’s critical minerals, accelerating infrastructure partnerships, and creating resilient and sustainable value chains.
