By Michel Bah

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Mr Julius Daniel Mattai, has, during the just concluded 10th African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) Conference, held recently at the Bintumani Conference Centre, Aberdeen, West of the capital, been appointed as the Chairperson of ADPA.

This year’s theme of the 10th African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) is “Sustainable Mining, Shared Benefits: Bringing Sierra Leone’s Mineral Wealth Closer to her people.”

The conference attracted delegates from the following ADPA Member States, as well as the ADPA Executive Directorate Members who were Angola, Central Africa Republic, Cameroon, Congo (Virtual) Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Côte D’Ivoire (Virtual), Liberia, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and observers present were Russia and Mozambique.

Speaking at the conference, the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Mr Julius Daniel Mattai, stated that it is important to reflect on Sierra Leone’s remarkable journey, a story of resilience, transformation, and hope. He furthered that Sierra Leone refused to let its legacy be defined by conflict and has successfully transformed its diamond industry into a force for good.

Hon. Julius Daniel Mattai, who officially assumed the presidency of the ADPA, expressed thanks and appreciation to His Excellency President Rtd. Brig. President Julius Maada Bio for what he considered as visionary leadership and dedication to ensuring that all Sierra Leoneans benefit from the country’s natural resources.

According to the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Sierra Leone’s diamond revenues have grown exponentially, contributing significantly to economic stability and social development. The mines minister further disclosed that ADPA was established in 2006 through the Luanda Declaration, and its vision aligns perfectly with Sierra Leone’s aspirations, ensuring that the country’s natural resources benefit not only governments but also local communities through sustainable practices and equitable distribution of wealth.

However, the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources expressed concerns over the rise of laboratory-grown diamonds, and noted that geopolitical tensions have fragmented mineral supply chains and reshaped trade dynamics, adding that the G7 Diamond Protocol poses significant threats to African diamond producers by imposing restrictive trade measures that undermine sovereignty and disrupt equitable market access, leaving African diamond producers skating on thin ice.

Mr Mattai called on participants to push for diamonds not to be exported but cut, polished, and marketed within our borders; thereby creating jobs, boosting economies, and uplifting communities, as according to him, value addition remains centre stage, going forward. The Minister of Mines further disclosed that 60% of the world’s diamonds come from Africa, yet, he added, more often than not, their true value is realized elsewhere, emphasizing that this must change.

Mr Julius Daniel Mattai expressed thanks and appreciation to the outgone Chairman of ADPA, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development of Zimbabwe, Hon. Winston Chitando for what he described as visionary leadership that has strengthened their collective resolve to transform Africa’s diamond sector, over the past two years.

Delivering the keynote address during the joint 10th Ordinary Session of the African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA) and Sierra Leone Mining Week, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially launched the maiden event while describing it as a significant milestone in the country’s mining journey and highlighted its growing leadership role in Africa’s mineral development sector.

President Bio urged African nations to shift from merely exporting raw diamonds to embracing value-added processes like cutting, polishing, and jewellery manufacturing, stressing that the strategic shift will create jobs, build the country’s industrial capacity, and increase revenues. The President furthered that Sierra Leone’s diamonds are not merely resources, but sparkling jewels of the country’s heritage, fuelling opportunities and igniting hope in communities.

Delivering the welcome address earlier, the Director General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA), Alhaji Ing. Hadji Dabo, welcomed participants and noted that the event presented an invaluable opportunity to foster partnerships and investments, ensuring that the country’s mineral wealth benefits Sierra Leoneans. He furthered that the successful hosting of the 10th Ordinary Session signals Sierra Leone’s readiness to collaborate and lead in shaping the future of Africa’s mining industry and emphasised that hosting the event was testament to President Bio’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustainable mining.

On his part, the Director of the National Precious Metals Trade Agency of NMA, Mr. Mohamed Bah, chaired the Ad hoc Meeting on KP matters of the Working Group of Technical Advisors of ADPA that was held virtually.

During the meeting, Mr. Mohamed Bah stated that it was an honour to gather with such a dedicated and knowledgeable assembly of experts and stakeholders committed to the responsible and ethical trade of diamonds. He furthered that Kimberley Process has been instrumental in curbing the trade of conflict diamonds and promoting transparency in the diamond supply chain. He however noted that the landscape continues to evolve, presenting both new challenges and opportunities, adding that they are tasked with addressing critical issues that affect the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process.

The Director of the National Precious Metals Trade Agency encouraged participants to share insights and experiences openly, as according to him, collaboration remains the watchword, adding that it is through their combined expertise that they can forge a path forward.

In a snap interview with this press, Vice Chairman of the Sierra Leone Diamond and Gold Brokers Association (SLDGBA), Mr David Chris Nze, stated that the event was timely and impactful, bringing together key players from government, private sector, and civil society to explore opportunities and confront the challenges facing the country’s mining sector.

Mr Nze said that SLDGBA is ready to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that the diamond and gold trade benefits the people of Sierra Leone, pointing out that they must strive to build a sector that is not only profitable, but also fair, accountable, and inclusive. The Vice Chairman therefore commended government for creating such a vital platform for exchange and innovation.

Adding a touch of glamour to the occasion, members of the Sierra Leone Dance Troupe from the Ministry of Tourism put up spectacular performances at the entrance of the hotel throughout the week, much to appreciation of many quarters.

Speaking to this press, one staff of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources who pleaded anonymity, lavished praises on the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Mr Julius Daniel Mattai, describing him as an astute leader and a humble servant who always bends over backwards to ensure the happiness of staff and others. The staff furthered that Mr Mattai has distinguished himself in society, especially within the President Bio’s led government through service, selflessness and other outstanding contributions that have positively impacted the lives of many.

The anonymous staff waxed lyrical about the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, stressing that his appointments by President Bio to serve in the said ministry did not come by some dint of luck but could be seen as a fitting tribute to his years of devoted work.

The staff maintained that Mr Julius Daniel Mattai has won plaudits from many quarters, describing him as a generous, credible, and trustworthy leader whose exemplary performance has become the beacon of hope for a good number of Sierra Leoneans.