Sierra Leone Seeks Russian Expertise to Boost Mineral Exploration and Processing
Aminata Koroma Sierra Leone is seeking to deepen its technical and investment cooperation with Russia as the government moves to strengthen mineral exploration, develop local processing capacity and maximise the economic benefits of the country’s natural resources.
Minister of Mines, Julius Daniel Mattai, made the call while addressing the Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, where he emphasised the need for international partnerships that go beyond extracting and exporting raw minerals.
Mattai said Sierra Leone’s mineral wealth, which includes iron ore, diamonds and emerging prospects for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and coltan, presents significant opportunities for economic transformation if properly explored and managed.
He, however, cautioned that mineral abundance alone does not guarantee national prosperity, stressing that investment in geological research, modern technology, good governance and skilled human resources is essential to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
The Minister identified improved geological exploration as a major priority, noting that Sierra Leone needs a clearer understanding of its mineral deposits through systematic geological surveys, drilling and modern geophysical investigations.
He also highlighted a memorandum of understanding signed in June 2024 on the inventory of Sierra Leone’s mineral resources, describing reliable geological information as critical to attracting investment and guiding the sustainable development of the mining sector.
Beyond exploration, Mattai called for a shift towards local mineral processing, beneficiation, smelting, refining and, where possible, manufacturing, arguing that such an approach would create employment, strengthen technical capacity and enable the country to retain more value from its mineral resources.
He acknowledged that achieving this ambition would require significant investment in infrastructure, particularly electricity, roads and port facilities, alongside a transparent and predictable legal and fiscal framework capable of attracting long-term investors while safeguarding national interests.
The Minister further disclosed the importance of strengthening geological investigations through modern radiometric and magnetic surveys, which could help identify mineral-rich areas and reduce the risks associated with exploration.
On international cooperation, Mattai expressed interest in expanding partnerships with Russian universities and technical institutions in geology, geophysics, chemistry, mining engineering and mineral processing.
He identified scholarships for Sierra Leonean students, academic exchanges, laboratory development, technical training and the application of artificial intelligence in geological modelling and mineral exploration as potential areas of collaboration.
Energy development was also highlighted as an important area for cooperation, particularly in finding solutions to support industrial activities and mineral processing.
Reflecting on the growing global demand for critical minerals, Mattai said Africa must position itself to benefit from emerging opportunities by negotiating partnerships that support technology transfer, local expertise and industrial development rather than remaining a supplier of unprocessed raw materials.
He noted that Africa’s population is projected to increase from approximately 1.5 billion to 2.5 billion by 2050, creating opportunities for industrial expansion, employment and a larger market for goods and services.
The Minister maintained that Sierra Leone remains open to partnerships with countries willing to provide the investment, expertise and technology needed to develop its mineral sector, while respecting the country’s sovereignty and national interests.
Emphasising that Sierra Leone was not seeking to align itself with competing geopolitical interests, he said the country’s priority was to explore its natural resources and translate mineral wealth into meaningful development.
“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 stated.
Mattai’s remarks underscore the government’s ambition to reposition mining as a driver of industrialisation, employment creation and sustainable economic growth, with stronger geological knowledge and value addition expected to play a central role in that transformation.
The Minister stressed that the ultimate success of Sierra Leone’s mining sector should be measured not only by the volume of minerals discovered or exported, but by the jobs created, skills developed and lasting economic benefits delivered to its people.