Mines Minister Julius Mattai
By James Conteh
The National Minerals Agency (NMA) has reported major growth in Sierra Leone’s mining sector, highlighting its vital role in the country’s economy under President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership.
Director of Communication and Community Affairs, Ibrahim Satti Kamara, said mining now accounts for 70–80% of national export earnings, reaching $1.12 billion in 2024. Non-tax revenue increased to $49.4 million, while license fees doubled from $10.9 million in 2023 to $21.4 million in 2024.
Mr. Kamara noted that revenues from the mining industry are helping fund key government programmes in agriculture, health, and education. The sector currently employs around 17,000 people nationwide. He also revealed that mining companies collectively pay NLe200 million annually in surface rent and contribute 1% of export revenues to the Community Development Agreement (CDA) to support local development projects.
Meanwhile, Leone Rock Metal Group reaffirmed its commitment to legal compliance and community development in Sierra Leone. Company representative Mamoud Melvin Jah said that out of 4,864 employees at the Tonkolili Mines, 3,011 are residents of Tonkolili District.
The company has also invested heavily in training and safety, certifying 2,456 workers to operate processing plants and training 364 women in firefighting and emergency response. In April 2025, Leone Rock distributed over NLe62 million in CDA payments to primary mining communities, reinforcing its role as a partner in national and local development.
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