By Mariama Bundu
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has called for fair and transparent returns from Sierra Leone’s mining sector, stressing that the country must benefit more equitably from its mineral resources.
He made the remarks during Mining Week 2026, where government officials, parliamentarians, industry leaders and development partners gathered to discuss reforms in the extractive sector.
The Vice President said Sierra Leone is shifting from a system of passive extraction to a more accountable and value-driven mining framework.
He noted that mining is no longer just an economic activity, but a key pillar of national development and security.
VP Juldeh pointed out concerns over underreporting of mineral production, pricing discrepancies, and transfer pricing practices, which he said continue to reduce government revenue.
He called for stronger use of technology and independent verification systems to ensure transparency in mineral exports.
He also outlined government plans to explore innovative fiscal tools, including royalty-backed financing and increased state participation in large-scale mining projects.
Existing laws already allow government to hold a 10 percent free-carried interest in major operations.
On sustainability, the Vice President urged mining companies to go beyond traditional corporate social responsibility projects and align their contributions with national development priorities such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and youth empowerment.
He further emphasized the need to formalize artisanal mining, which supports over 120,000 livelihoods, while improving environmental protection and eliminating exploitative practices such as child labour.
Mining and Mineral Resources Minister and other stakeholders also reiterated support for reforms aimed at strengthening governance and increasing national benefit from mineral resources.
The government says the ongoing reforms are intended to ensure that Sierra Leone maximizes the value of its mineral wealth for sustainable national development.
