SIERRA LEONE’S MINISTER OF MINES ENGAGES QATARI INVESTORS

21st January 2025. Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, today met with a team of Qatari investors from the Thirty-Five Group Ltd., at the Head Office of the National Minerals Agency (NMA) in Freetown, to discuss investment opportunities in Sierra Leone. Welcoming the delegation, the Minister noted that the presence of the investors in Sierra Leone was testament to the growing interest in the country’s potential as a key player in the global mining industry with immense investment opportunities within the mineral sector.
He explained that Sierra Leone is committed to harnessing its natural resources responsibly and sustainably, with a desire to transition to value addition to stimulate economic growth and national development. Achieving this, he went on, requires investment in local processing facilities, developing a skilled workforce, encouraging public-private partnerships, and implementing favourable tax policies, all of which Government was committed to pursue. He maintained that by moving up the value chain and attracting higher-margin activities such as mineral processing, Government can create jobs and ensure that the benefits of mineral resources are felt across the society. Hence, his Ministry’s commitment to strengthening governance and enhancing local geoscientific capacities, which are paramount for progress.
The Minister assured the delegation that their expertise in diversified investments aligns with Government’s vision of innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth, and that together they can realize the full potential of Sierra Leone’s mineral sector and contribute to a brighter future for all.In response, the representative of the Qatari investors, Mr. Ahmed bin Khalid, expressed his deep interest in Sierra Leone’s mining sector. He praised the government’s forward-thinking approach and commitment to sustainable development. Mr. Khalid highlighted that the Thirty-Five Group Ltd. sees immense potential in Sierra Leone, not only in terms of resource extraction but also in contributing to the development of the local economy. He emphasized that their investment strategy aligns with the Minister’s vision of value addition and local capacity building. He assured the Minister that his company is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships that will lead to mutual growth and prosperity.