Freetown, 30th April 2026 — Sierra Leone’s mining and minerals sector delivered a strong performance in 2025, generating USD 1.3 billion in exports, a 16 percent year‑on‑year increase, according to figures presented by the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Minerals Agency.
The sector also contributed USD 55.8 million in non‑tax revenues, up 13 percent compared to 2024, while sustaining 15,543 formal jobs, of which 92.3 percent were held by Sierra Leonean citizens. Officials project that ongoing expansion projects will add 4,500 new jobs and push exports toward USD 2.0–2.5 billion by 2028.
Despite global turbulence, the industry showed resilience. Diamond revenues dipped amid international market contraction, but bauxite expansion attracted new investment. Gold operations transitioned underground, unlocking untapped reserves, while mineral sands companies invested in downstream processing plants to capture greater value. Iron ore maintained steady production despite price volatility.
“This is a sector that refuses to be defined by external shocks,” the Ministry noted, emphasizing adaptability and long‑term growth potential.
Beyond headline figures, officials highlighted the broader economic impact: mining revenues underpin community development, support livelihoods, and position Sierra Leone as a significant player in global mineral supply chains.
Yet the report stressed that transformation remains incomplete. To translate mineral wealth into inclusive national development, decisive policy action is required. Priorities include channeling revenues into education and healthcare, strengthening local benefit frameworks, and empowering Sierra Leonean engineers and geologists to lead world‑class operations.
The Ministry underscored that Cabinet‑level decisions will be critical to writing the next chapter: ensuring that mining’s resilience and growth become the foundation of sustainable prosperity
