Aruna Turay, AYV News, July 9, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, has called on Canadian investors to seize emerging opportunities in the country’s mining sector, describing Sierra Leone as one of Africa’s most promising destinations for critical mineral exploration.
Speaking at an investment forum in Edmonton, Canada, Koroma delivered a keynote address titled “Reforming the Rules of the Earth: Modern Mining Policies for Revenue Growth, Environmental Stewardship, and Community Prosperity,” where he outlined the government’s ambitious reforms aimed at transforming Sierra Leone into a globally competitive mining investment hub.
The Deputy Minister said Sierra Leone possesses vast deposits of iron ore, rutile, bauxite, diamonds and gold, but stressed that the country’s future lies in its growing portfolio of critical minerals, including lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, columbite-tantalite, nickel and cobalt, which are increasingly in demand for the global clean energy transition.
He noted that rising global demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies and battery storage systems has significantly increased the importance of critical minerals, creating a unique opportunity for countries with untapped mineral resources.
Koroma said Sierra Leone’s location within the mineral-rich West African Craton gives it a geological advantage, adding that much of the country’s mineral-rich land remains largely unexplored using modern exploration techniques.
He highlighted the government’s National Critical Minerals Strategy 2026–2031, which identifies priority exploration corridors for lithium, graphite, heavy mineral sands and gold, while encouraging junior and mid-tier mining companies to partner with Sierra Leone in unlocking these resources.
According to the Deputy Minister, the government has introduced sweeping reforms to improve transparency, efficiency and investor confidence within the mining sector. These include competitive exploration licence fees, streamlined environmental approval processes, improved access to geological data, dedicated investor support through the National Minerals Agency (NMA), and fiscal stability provisions under the Mines and Minerals Development Act (MMDA) 2022.
“We are not asking investors to take a leap of faith. We are asking them to examine the geological, regulatory and commercial evidence and make an informed decision,” Koroma told participants.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s inaugural Mining Week held in May this year, he said the event demonstrated the government’s commitment to transparency, responsible mining, environmental protection and ensuring that local communities benefit from the country’s natural resources.
Koroma also highlighted Sierra Leone’s growing participation in international mining governance initiatives and its efforts to strengthen partnerships with the diaspora to mobilize investment, expertise and technical support.
Describing Canada as a global leader in mining exploration and financing, the Deputy Minister urged Canadian companies to play a leading role in developing Sierra Leone’s mining industry.
He said companies that establish partnerships early would gain significant advantages as the country continues implementing reforms and expanding exploration activities.
“The global race for critical minerals is accelerating, and Sierra Leone is ready to become one of the defining mining investment destinations of the next decade,” he said.
Koroma concluded by inviting investors to engage directly with the National Minerals Agency to explore opportunities in mineral exploration, mining services, environmental management, community development and mining technology.
He expressed confidence that Sierra Leone’s combination of abundant mineral resources, policy reforms and investor-friendly environment would deliver long-term benefits for both investors and the people of Sierra Leone.
