Sierra Leone’s Mines Minister Seeks Closer ADPA Collaboration

November 2025 — Julius Daniel Mattai, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the African Diamond Producing Association (ADPA), attended the opening session of the Kimberley Process Plenary Meeting in Dubai, UAE.
In his opening remarks to delegates, Kimberley Process Chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem urged unanimity in the midst of a difficult diamond mining and trading cycle, emphasising the need for the Process to act quickly and with renewed vigour.
We emphasised the importance of reaching an agreement on several resolutions and proposed amendments currently before members. Bin Sulayem also discussed technological and sectoral developments, such as the incorporation of artificial intelligence into diamond traceability systems and the potential application of Kimberley Process principles to critical minerals.
Minister Mattai, accompanied by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UAE, Rashid Sesay, held substantive bilateral discussions with the Kimberley Process Chairman outside of the plenary session. The discussions centred on identifying areas of mutual interest, strengthening consensus-building mechanisms, addressing outstanding resolutions and amendments, and coordinating future collaboration between ADPA and the Kimberley Process.
Throughout the meeting, the Sierra Leone delegation participated in a number of working group sessions. Minister Mattai and his team attended meetings of the Working Group of Diamond Experts, the Working Group on Alluvial and Artisanal Production, the Working Group on Monitoring, and the Ad hoc Review and Reform group. Their participation demonstrates Sierra Leone’s commitment to international efforts to strengthen responsible diamond governance, improve traceability, and shape reform processes within the Kimberly framework.