Freetown, 27th October 2015- Sierra Leone has clinched a historic milestone in the global mining arena, catapulting from 52nd to 8th place in the latest Mining Contribution Index (MCI) rankings, an achievement hailed as one of the most dramatic improvements worldwide.
The country’s MCI score surged to 88.8, placing it firmly among the top 10 mining-dependent economies and signaling a new era of mineral-led growth.
The leap, recorded between the 6th edition (2022) and the 7th edition (2025) of the MCI, reflects Sierra Leone’s intensified focus on mineral exports, production value, and sector resilience.
According to the data, mineral, metals, and coal exports accounted for 62.3% of total exports in 2022, while mineral production value reached 36.2% of GDP, one of the highest ratios globally. Export contributions also rose by 5.19 percentage points over five years, underscoring the sector’s growing economic weight.
At the heart of this transformation is Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, whose strategic leadership has redefined Sierra Leone’s mining narrative. “This is not just a statistical leap, it’s a signal to the world that Sierra Leone is ready to lead in responsible, high-value mineral development,” an official familiar with the countries mining sector commented.
The country’s key minerals ilmenite, iron ore, rutile, zircon, and diamonds, have seen both price surges and production booms, driven by reforms that prioritize export value, local beneficiation, and global competitiveness. The MCI’s methodological shift, removing the mineral rents indicator and placing greater weight on export performance, played to Sierra Leone’s strengths, allowing its booming trade figures to shine through.
The 7th edition of the MCI also revealed a broader trend: low and middle-income mining nations are rising fast, with 12 new countries entering the top 25. Yet Sierra Leone’s 44-place climb stands out as a benchmark of accelerated progress, resilience, and reform.
Experts say the sector’s rebound from pandemic-era disruptions, coupled with rising global demand for transition minerals, has created a perfect storm for Sierra Leone’s ascent. But the government isn’t resting on its laurels. The Ministry has doubled down on sustainability, governance, and community impact, aligning its strategy with global ESG standards and the country’s long-term development goals.
“This is about more than exports, it’s about jobs, infrastructure, and inclusive growth,” Minister Mattai said in a recent statement. “We are building a mining sector that serves the people, protects the environment, and positions Sierra Leone as a global leader in ethical resource development.”
With international recognition now firmly in hand, Sierra Leone’s mining sector is no longer just digging for minerals, it’s digging for transformation.
