National Minerals Agency

What National Minerals Agency does

The National Minerals Agency (NMA) is the Government of Sierra Leone's statutory regulator for the minerals sector, established in March 2013 and operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources. It administers and enforces the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2022, the Mines and Minerals Development Regulations 2023, and the National Minerals Agency Act 2023 (which repealed the 2012 Act). Its mandates include mineral rights administration, Kimberley Process certification of precious mineral exports, geological survey services, regulatory compliance monitoring, and promotion of community rights in mining-affected areas. The agency serves a multi-tier stakeholder base: large-scale mining operators (Sierra Rutile, Meya Mining, CTC Mining, FG Gold, Marampa Mines, Sierra Minerals Holdings 1/VIMETCO, Wongor Investment Mining, Leone Afric Metals), small-scale and artisanal miners, exploration companies, precious minerals traders and exporters, inter-governmental bodies, and international investors.

The NMA operates a portfolio of proprietary platforms and technical services. The National Airborne Geophysical Survey (NAGS), launched by President Julius Maada Bio in May 2021 and delivered with Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics (with Reid Geophysics as independent QA/QC), provides the only nationwide geophysical dataset for Sierra Leone — magnetics, radiometrics, SRTM, Landsat8, 3D inversions, and mineral favourability maps — accessed through the Geoscience Data Portal under a 3-tier pricing matrix. The Mining Cadastre Office processes all mineral rights applications and maintains cadastral records. The Geological Survey laboratory provides XRF, petrography, mineralogy, and environmental chemistry analytical services. In May 2026 the agency launched the Community Development Management Information System (CoDMIS), developed in-house, to track CSR initiatives, Diamond Area Community Development Fund disbursements, and mining surface rents. The agency also operates the annual Sierra Leone Mining Week & Exhibition (2,500+ delegates from 30+ countries in 2026), which hosted the 11th ADPA Council of Ministers meeting.

Revenue is structured around statutory fees rather than market pricing. Application fees range from USD 1,000 (reconnaissance) to USD 25,000 (large-scale mining), with annual charges scaling from USD 500-1,500 per km² for exploration up to USD 1,000,000 for a large-scale mining licence. Precious minerals exporter licences command USD 15,000-35,000 annually. Supplementary income includes NAGS data access fees, laboratory services, and Mining Week sponsorship (USD 10,000 Silver to USD 80,000 Main Sponsor). Distribution runs through the Freetown headquarters, four regional offices (Bo, Makeni, Kenema, Kono), the Geoscience Data Portal, and direct engagement at Mining Indaba and PDAC. The NMA is wholly owned by the Government of Sierra Leone, with no private shareholders, funding rounds, or external investment.

Name

National Minerals Agency

Legal name

National Minerals Agency

Website

https://nma.gov.sl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The National Minerals Agency is the Government of Sierra Leone's statutory minerals regulator, administering mineral rights, certifying precious mineral exports under the Kimberley Process, and providing nationwide geoscience and laboratory services to mining operators, traders, and exploration companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mining Sector Regulation

NAICS

Support Activities for Mining (2131), Support Activities for Metal Mining (213114)

SIC

Mineral Royalty Traders (6795), Metal Mining (1000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAMAJ

Minerals, Mining & Geologic Resources Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYIMAKAKAA

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Metals & Mining/Mining Services & Contracting (Exploration, Drilling, Blasting, Mine Operations)

SECONDARYIMAKAKAJ

Environmental, Permitting & Closure Services (EIA, Compliance Monitoring, Reclamation Execution)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Metals & Mining/Mining Services & Contracting (Exploration, Drilling, Blasting, Mine Operations)

SECONDARYIMAKAOAM

Environmental & Permitting Services for Mine Projects (EIA/ESIA, Approvals, Compliance)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Metals & Mining/Mine Development, Engineering & EPC (Design, Construction, Closure & Reclamation)

Keywords

• Mineral rights administration
• Mining sector regulation
• Geological survey services
• Mining cadastre management
• Precious minerals certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Freetown

HQ country

Sierra Leone

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Licensing and Annual Charges: The NMA generates revenue through processing fees for mineral rights applications (reconnaissance, exploration, artisanal, small-scale, large-scale) and annual charges based on licence type and area. Fees range from USD 1,000 for reconnaissance to USD 25,000 for large-scale new applications, with annual charges including USD 1,000,000 for large-scale mining licences and per-km² fees for exploration.
2. Precious Minerals Trading Licences: Revenue from exporter's licences (diamond USD 35,000, gold USD 20,000, industrial/sand-based USD 15,000), dealer's licences at various tiers, and agent certificates. Annual trading licences and monitoring fees for diamond, gold, and industrial minerals dealers.
3. Geophysical and Laboratory Data Services: Fees for accessing geoscience data including airborne geophysical survey data, interpretation maps, cadastre maps, and laboratory analytical services. Pricing follows a 3-tier matrix with fees for various data formats and map sizes.
4. Conference and Exhibition Revenue: Revenue from Sierra Leone Mining Week sponsorship packages (ranging from USD 10,000 Silver to USD 80,000 Main Sponsor), exhibitor booth sales (USD 7,000 Standard to USD 10,000 Premium), and delegate registrations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The National Minerals Agency (NMA) regulates Sierra Leone's minerals sector by administering mineral rights through the Mining Cadastre Office, conducting geological surveys and providing the National Airborne Geophysical Survey (NAGS) data, issuing precious minerals trading licences under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, and offering laboratory analysis and geological library services. It also operates the CoDMIS platform for community development tracking and hosts the annual Sierra Leone Mining Week to promote mining investment.

Product overview

The National Minerals Agency (NMA) is a government regulatory agency established in 2013 to professionally develop Sierra Leone's mines and minerals sector. The agency provides a comprehensive suite of products and services including the National Airborne Geophysical Survey (NAGS) data platform delivering nationwide geoscientific datasets, the Mining Cadastre Office for mineral rights administration, Laboratory Services for geological sample analysis, Library Services for geological literature, the Community Development Management Information System (CoDMIS) for tracking CSR and community development activities, and the annual Sierra Leone Mining Week event. The agency also operates the Geoscience Data Portal for data access and the Precious Minerals Export Statistics Portal for tracking mineral exports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Airborne Geophysical Survey (NAGS) Data Nationwide airborne geophysical survey data products providing comprehensive geoscientific datasets including raw and processed SRTM and Landsat8 data, geophysical grids, processed geophysical images, 3D inversions, interpretation maps, kimberlite targets, mineral favourability maps, cadastre maps, and digital terrain maps for mineral exploration companies.
• Mining Cadastre Office Services Administrative service for processing mineral rights applications, issuing and administering licences and permits, and maintaining cadastral records, registers and maps for all mining operations in Sierra Leone under the Mines and Minerals Development Act.
• Geological Survey Laboratory Services Analytical services for geological samples including sample preparation, petrography, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) chemistry, mineralogy, environmental chemistry, and sealing of samples for export, available to mining companies, exploration firms, and artisanal miners.
• Geological Library Services Comprehensive geological library holding geological literature, bulletins, memoirs, short papers, maps, print and electronic journals, mining laws and documents to support bibliographical services to internal and external stakeholders.
• Geoscience Data Portal Online portal providing access to Sierra Leone's geoscience data including airborne geophysical survey datasets, geological maps, cadastre maps, and mineral favourability information for mining sector stakeholders.
• Community Development Management Information System (CoDMIS) Web-based platform providing insights into community development activities, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Diamond Area Community Development Fund (DACDF) disbursements, and mining surface rents, including functionality for community development agreements management.
• Precious Minerals Export Statistics Portal Precious Minerals Export Statistics portal providing export statistics for diamonds and gold, enabling tracking of mineral export volumes and values from Sierra Leone and supporting Kimberley Process Certification Scheme implementation.
• Mineral Rights Licences (Reconnaissance, Exploration, Artisanal, Small-Scale, Large-Scale) Five categories of mineral rights licences issued by NMA: Reconnaissance (USD 1,000 application, USD 10,000 annual), Exploration (USD 2,500 application, USD 500-1,500/km² annual), Artisanal Mining (NLE 250 / USD 250), Small-Scale Mining (USD 5,000 application, USD 1,000 per hectare annual), and Large-Scale Mining (USD 25,000 application, USD 1,000,000 annual charge).
• Precious Minerals Trading Licences Annual trading licences for precious minerals: Diamond Exporter's Licence (USD 35,000 annual), Gold Exporter's Licence (USD 20,000 annual), Industrial and Sand-Based Exporter's Certificate (USD 15,000 annual), dealer's licences at various tiers, and agent certificates, all with USD 1,000 monitoring fees.
• Kimberley Process Certification Scheme Services Internal controls, monitoring, and inspection systems for production, export, import, and transit of precious minerals to meet Sierra Leone's obligations under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, including sample sealing and verification procedures.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sierra Leone aims to attract over $2.5 billion in mining investment by 2031 through the National Strategy for Critical Minerals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Ministry of Mines and Mineral ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026NMA operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources. The Ministry provides policy direction while NMA handles operational implementation. Together they co-organize the annual Sierra Leone Mining Week & Exhibition and jointly developed the National Strategy for Critical Minerals (2026-2031). NMA advises the Minister on policy matters and implements regulations under the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2022.
• African Diamond Producers Association (ADPA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026NMA and Ministry jointly hosted the 11th ADPA Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers during Sierra Leone Mining Week 2026. ADPA is a multilateral body of African diamond-producing nations. The meeting convened ministers from diamond-producing countries to discuss industry governance, diamond certification under the Kimberley Process, and sustainable development of Africa's diamond resources.
• Spring Innovations Property & Logistics (SIPL)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 19 May 2026SIPL serves as the event coordinator for Sierra Leone Mining Week 2026, handling logistics, venue management, registration, and event operations for the annual mining summit.
• Bravura Mining (SL) LimitedflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Headline and Platinum sponsor of Sierra Leone Mining Week 2026 with cocktail sponsorship. Bravura Mining is a Sierra Leone-based mining services and investment company supporting the mining sector.
• Ecobank Sierra LeoneflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Platinum sponsor with cocktail sponsorship of Mining Week 2026. Ecobank facilitates major financing for Sierra Leone mining companies including USD 40 million facility for Sierra Rutile Limited and USD 25 million for Meya Mining at Mining Indaba 2026.
• Sierra Rutile LimitedflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Platinum sponsor of Sierra Leone Mining Week 2026. World's largest natural rutile deposit operator in Sierra Leone (Gbangbama, Bonthe District). Ing. Lima Sufian-Kargbo serves as CEO.
• FG GoldflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Diamond sponsor of Mining Week 2026. FG Gold holds a 25-year mining lease for gold operations in Sierra Leone. CEO Oliver Andrews participated in Mining Week 2026 panel on financing Sierra Leone's mining sector.
• Leone Rock Metal GroupflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Sponsor of the Cocktail Reception during Mining Week 2026 (Days 2-4). Mining company operating in Sierra Leone's mineral sector with exploration and development activities.
• MantraccoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026Gold sponsor of Sierra Leone Mining Week 2026. Mantrac distributes and supports Caterpillar equipment and machinery in Sierra Leone, serving the mining, construction, and power generation sectors.
• Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics (XAG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 2021XAG served as the primary contractor for Sierra Leone's Nationwide Airborne Geophysical Survey (NAGS), conducting airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys. Survey data officially launched by President Julius Maada Bio on May 23, 2021. XAG delivered comprehensive geophysical data including interpretation products, 3D inversions, and kimberlite targeting.
• Reid Geophysics Ltd (RGL)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 May 2021RGL served as the independent QA/QC firm certifying the airborne geophysical survey data delivered by XAG. Ensured data quality and accuracy of interpretation deliverables including basement geology maps, surficial geology maps, mineral favourability assessments, and kimberlite targeting products.
• Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Sierra LeonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMA collaborates with EPA on environmental management aspects of mining operations. NMA's Director of Mines sits on the Environment Protection Agency board. Joint oversight of environmental compliance in mining operations.
• Petroleum DirectorateminorOthersListed as a related MDA (Ministry, Department, Agency) on NMA's website, indicating inter-governmental coordination on natural resource governance in Sierra Leone.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nmaslinfo
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalMineralsAgencySierraLeone
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-minerals-agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Minerals Agency