Announcements

Sierra Leone is proudly celebrating a landmark achievement in the global mining sector, underscored by a dramatic rise in the Mining Contribution Index (MCI) between 2022 and 2025. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the visionary and dynamic leadership of the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, whose forward-thinking approach has elevated Sierra Leone to new heights on the world stage.
In just three years, Sierra Leone soared from 52nd place in the 6th edition (2022) of the MCI to an impressive 8th position in the 7th edition (2025).

This 44-spot climb is among the most significant improvements globally, placing Sierra Leone firmly among the world’s top mining-dependent economies. The nation’s MCI score surged to 88.8, showcasing robust progress in all major indicators:
- Mineral, metals, and coal exports contributed 62.3% in 2022.
- Mineral export contributions increased by 5.19 percentage points from 2017 to 2022.
- Mineral production value reached 36.2% of GDP, among the highest globally.
This dramatic ascent was fueled by strong growth in mineral production and exports championed by Minister’s supportive role. Sierra Leone’s key minerals—ilmenite, iron ore, rutile, zircon, and diamonds—not only saw price increases but also recorded higher production levels across the board.

These gains were amplified by the country’s strategic focus on maximizing export value and fostering a resilient mining sector capable of adapting to changing global conditions.The 7th edition of the MCI introduced a significant methodological adjustment by removing the mineral rents indicator due to data limitations.

This shift gave greater weight to mineral and metals export figures—a change that played to Sierra Leone’s strengths, as its booming export sector now carried even greater influence in the overall index score. Countries like Sierra Leone, which previously had lower recorded mineral rents, were thus able to showcase their true progress through export growth and increased production.

Sierra Leone’s rise mirrors a broader trend among low and middle-income mining nations, with several countries making dramatic gains in the latest MCI rankings. The mining sector’s strong rebound from pandemic disruptions, coupled with a surge in global prices for minerals crucial to the energy transition, further propelled Sierra Leone’s performance. Notably, twelve new countries entered the top 25, with Sierra Leone standing out as one of the most improved nations.

This historic achievement marks not only a quantitative leap in mineral production and exports but also underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to sustainable development. The report reinforces that continued success will be driven by responsible mining, good governance, and alignment with global sustainability goals.

Under Minister Julius Daniel Mattai’s visionary stewardship, Sierra Leone is set on a promising path toward enduring prosperity and a pivotal role in the international mining community.
Credit: MMMR/NMA Communications Team