A Commentary By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The launch of Simandou 2040 in neighbouring Guinea has sent a strong signal across the West African sub-region: Africa’s mineral future is entering a new era; one defined not by dependency and extraction alone, but by sovereignty, value addition and long-term national wealth creation. Among the leaders most attuned to the weight of this moment is Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, whose reflections upon returning from the ceremony offer a powerful blueprint for Sierra Leone’s next steps in mineral governance and economic transformation.

For Minister Julius Daniel Mattai, the Simandou event was far more than a mining milestone. It was, as he described, “the rebirth of a continental vision”, a demonstration that African nations can build institutional strength, negotiate equitable partnerships and chart a future in which mineral wealth underpins national prosperity. Representing President Julius Maada Bio as part of a high-level delegation led by Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Julius Daniel Mattai witnessed firsthand the scale and ambition of Guinea’s approach. That experience, he insists, should serve as a catalyst for Sierra Leone’s long-overdue mineral sector transformation.

Minister Julius Daniel Mattai’s admiration for the Simandou 2040 model is rooted in its deliberate planning and structural reforms. Guinea has not  simply opened another mine; it has integrated Simandou into a national development architecture that includes:

- A sovereign wealth fund to stabilize public finances and build generational wealth


- A multi-billion-dollar infrastructure backbone connecting mines to markets


- Strong legal frameworks rooted in global best practice


- State equity participation ensuring national ownership of future revenues

Julius Daniel Mattai considers this a powerful demonstration of what African resource governance can achieve when leadership, vision and policy discipline converge. It is this alignment, he argues, that Sierra Leone must now replicate.

The Minister uses the Simandou launch as a mirror, forcing Sierra Leone to confront its own limitations and opportunities. He insists that the country cannot continue operating as a supplier of unprocessed, low-value minerals. Instead, Sierra Leone must pursue a new development philosophy anchored on beneficiation, value addition, infrastructure alignment and institutional reform.

He identifies several critical areas where Sierra Leone can learn from Guinea’s example:

- Sovereign Equity Participation:


Guinea’s 15% equity stake in the Simandou joint venture ensures national benefit far beyond taxes and royalties. Julius Daniel Mattai argues that Sierra Leone must begin negotiating similar arrangements to become a genuine co-owner in major extractive projects.


- Robust Legal and Institutional Architecture:


Simandou is governed by modern legal frameworks that align local interests with global standards. Sierra Leone, he notes, must review and strengthen its mining laws, regulatory systems and oversight mechanisms.


- Strategic Infrastructure Integration:


Guinea’s 640 km heavy-haul railway and new deep-water port reflect a long-term vision that integrates mining with national economic development. Sierra Leone, Julius Daniel Mattai insists, must think beyond rehabilitated rail lines and adopt infrastructure that supports scale, efficiency and multi-user access.


- Local Beneficiation and Value Addition:


With Tonkolili’s iron ore averaging 30–35% Fe, Sierra Leone must invest in beneficiation technologies to create higher-value products capable of competing in global markets, especially now that Simandou’s 65–67% Fe ore is entering the market.

Minister Julius Daniel Mattai does not shy away from comparing Tonkolili and Simandou. He highlights that:

- Guinea is preparing to produce up to 120 million tonnes of premium ore annually, reshaping global supply dynamics.


- Sierra Leone must innovate to remain competitive in a market increasingly dominated by high-grade supply.


- The rise of Simandou presents both opportunities for collaboration and risks of marginalization.

This level of clarity, he believes, is necessary if Sierra Leone is to avoid being left behind.

Beyond policy, the Minister calls for a national shift in mindset. He argues that Sierra Leone must adopt a modern, globally responsive mineral policy shaped by the realities of green energy transitions, critical mineral demand and transparent resource governance.

“Let us refine our mindsets, reform our mining laws and realign our national mineral policy,” he urges, a statement that doubles as both warning and encouragement.

Ultimately, Minister Julius Daniel Mattai’s reflections are not simply technical analyses; they are an expression of belief in Sierra Leone’s capacity to transform its mineral wealth into national prosperity. His concluding message captures that optimism: “Let the lessons from Simandou 2040 inspire us to build a stronger, self-reliant mineral economy; one that turns our natural wealth into lasting national prosperity.”

For Sierra Leone, the message is unmistakable: the future will favour nations that prepare, reform and innovate. Under Minister Julius Daniel Mattai’s guidance, Sierra Leone has both the insight and the urgency required to seize this defining moment. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/commentary-a-new-mineral-future-mines-minister-urges-sierra-leone-to-embrace-simandou-inspired-reforms/