On February 2, 2026, Foreign Minister Timothy Kabbah and Deputy Minister of Mines Hon. Umaru Napoleon Koroma arrived in Washington, D.C. to attend the United States Critical Minerals Ministerial at the invitation of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The high-level meeting brings together governments and industry partners to discuss measures to strengthen and secure supply chains for minerals deemed critical to advanced technologies and national security.
Delegates will prioritise the urgent needs for copper, lithium, uranium, and rare earth elements, among other resources, and will seek agreements to diversify and strengthen global access. The conference is expected to include bilateral discussions and intense negotiations over mineral rights and access in African countries, with the US seeking partnerships to reduce reliance on supply chains controlled by foreign competitors. Organisers frame the initiative as part of the Trump administration’s broader “America First” strategy to reshape strategic resource sourcing.
Several African countries, including Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been invited to participate. Sierra Leone’s delegation is expected to use the summit to advance national interests by attracting investment, securing technical cooperation, and negotiating terms that protect sovereignty and promote long-term development in the country’s mineral sector. Officials say they will also prioritise environmental safeguards and community benefits in future agreements.
