By Marian Magdalene Bangura
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Mattai, has announced the country’s assumption of the Chairmanship of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA).
Mattai revealed that Sierra Leone has officially taken over the leadership of ADPA for a two-year period. This announcement came ahead of the 10th Ordinary Meeting of the ADPA Council of Ministers, which was held as part of the Mining Week activities.
The theme for this year’s Mining Week is: “Sustainable Mining and Shared Benefit: Bringing Sierra Leone Closer to Its People.” According to Minister Mattai, the theme underscores the government’s commitment to making mining more inclusive and community-focused. “One of our key intentions is to bring mining activities closer to the people and to encourage greater participation of women in the mining sector,” he emphasized.
As part of the Mining Week celebration, Sierra Leone is hosting a delegation of mining ministers and senior officials from across the continent, including countries such as Guinea, Liberia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Namibia, South Africa, Cameroon, and newly added ADPA members, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Republic of Congo. In addition, observers from Gabon, Russia, Mali, Algeria, and Mauritania are in attendance.
Mattai noted that many of these international representatives are in Sierra Leone not only to participate in the celebration but also to witness firsthand the transformation and potential of Sierra Leone’s mining sector.
President Julius Maada Bio officially opened the key event of Mining Week on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown.
The Mining Week, which runs from April 8 to 12, 2025, features a range of engaging activities including exhibition booths, panel discussions, and cultural performances, culminating in an evening concert that celebrates the vibrant potential of the country’s mining industry.
Mattai encouraged citizens to take part in the celebration by registering through the official portal and using the provided registration code to follow the event. He assured the public that this year’s Mining Week promises to be both informative and entertaining, offering a “taste of different flavours” through a well-curated mix of national pride, international partnerships, and community engagement.
