Sierra Leone’s geology supports a surprising mix of minerals that have shaped local livelihoods and national industry for decades. Coastal alluvials, inland veins and lateritic deposits mean small-scale miners and larger operations often work side by side across the country.
There are 14 Minerals in Sierra Leone, ranging from Clay (brick-making) to Zircon. For each entry, the list below presents data organized as Category,Main deposits/regions,Production / reserves (t); you’ll find the full list below.
Which of these minerals have the biggest economic impact in Sierra Leone?
Diamonds, rutile (titanium ore), iron ore and bauxite tend to drive larger-scale export revenue and investment, while gold and industrial minerals contribute through artisanal mining and local processing; clay and zircon support construction and manufacturing at a smaller but locally important scale.
Where can I find up-to-date production or reserve figures for these minerals?
Check Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the Geological Survey for official figures, and supplement with recent UN, USGS or industry reports and company disclosures—data can change quickly, so cross-check dates and sources for accuracy.
Minerals in Sierra Leone
| Name | Category | Main deposits/regions | Production / reserves (t) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond | Gemstone | Kono, Kenema, Kambia (alluvial and primary) | 200,000.00 carats |
| Rutile | Heavy-mineral sand / titanium ore | Coastal heavy-sands (Bonthe, Moyamba, Scarcies) | 75,000.00 |
| Ilmenite | Heavy-mineral sand / titanium ore | Coastal heavy-sands (Bonthe, Moyamba, Scarcies) | 250,000.00 |
| Zircon | Heavy-mineral sand / ceramic mineral | Coastal heavy-sands (Bonthe, Moyamba, Scarcies) | 10,000.00 |
| Leucoxene | Heavy-mineral sand / titanium alteration product | Coastal heavy-sands (Bonthe, Moyamba) | 5,000.00 |
| Garnet | Industrial mineral / heavy-mineral sand | Coastal heavy-sands, river placers | 5,000.00 |
| Monazite | Rare-earth-bearing heavy-mineral | Coastal heavy-sands (accessory) | 100.00 |
| Gold | Metal (precious) | Koinadugu, Kenema, Kono (alluvial and vein-hosted) | 1.00 |
| Iron ore (hematite/magnetite) | Metal (iron ore) | Tonkolili District, Marampa (Port Loko) | 10,000,000.00 |
| Kaolin (kaolinite) | Industrial mineral / clay | Western Area, Kenema, Port Loko (surface deposits) | 20,000.00 |
| Limestone | Industrial mineral / cement raw material | Freetown hinterland, Port Loko quarries | 50,000.00 |
| Sand & gravel | Construction aggregate / commodity | Nationwide river and coastal quarries, Freetown region | 500,000.00 |
| Clay (brick-making) | Industrial mineral / construction | Western Area, Bo, Kenema (brick pits) | 30,000.00 |
| Silica sand | Industrial mineral / glass & foundry | Coastal and riverine deposits near Freetown, Moyamba | 10,000.00 |
Images and Descriptions
Diamond
Alluvial and some primary kimberlitic diamonds are Sierra Leone’s best-known resource, mined mostly artisanal in eastern districts. Diamonds drove historical exports and remain important for livelihoods and gem markets despite variable production and regulatory challenges.
Rutile
Rutile (titanium oxide) is a high-value sand-mineral from coastal deposits. Sierra Leone has world-class rutile deposits mined for TiO2 pigment and titanium metal feedstock; exports are a major industrial-mineral revenue source.
Ilmenite
Ilmenite is the common titanium-iron oxide found with coastal heavy sands. It is produced alongside rutile and zircon and is used to make titanium dioxide pigment and titanium metal, contributing significantly to mineral sand exports.
Zircon
Zircon is a zirconium silicate recovered from beach and river sand deposits, used in ceramics and foundry applications. Sierra Leone produces zircon as a co-product of heavy-mineral sand operations, important for downstream industrial markets.
Leucoxene
Leucoxene is an altered ilmenite/rutile fine-grained titanium mineral in heavy-mineral sands. It is recovered with rutile and ilmenite, contributing to titanium feedstock exports though often reported with other mineral-sands products.
Garnet
Garnet occurs in beach and river sands and is recovered as an industrial abrasive for waterjet cutting and filtration. Sierra Leone’s heavy-mineral sands contain garnet as a useful minor commodity alongside rutile and ilmenite.
Monazite
Monazite is a rare-earth phosphate present as an accessory in heavy-mineral sands. Quantities are typically small and mixed with other sands; it is notable for containing light rare-earth elements and thorium as a radioactive accessory.
Gold
Gold occurs in alluvial and hard-rock settings and is mined largely by artisanal and small-scale miners. It provides local livelihoods and some export value, though formal large-scale production has been limited and variable.
Iron ore (hematite/magnetite)
Large iron-ore deposits (hematite/magnetite) in Tonkolili and Marampa have supported bulk mining and exports. These high-tonnage deposits are industrial-scale, used for steelmaking feedstock and have driven recent mining investment.
Kaolin (kaolinite)
Kaolin is a white clay used in ceramics, paper, and cosmetics. Sierra Leone hosts near-surface kaolin deposits exploited for local industry and modest export, commonly mined by small operators and quarried for construction industries.
Limestone
Limestone is quarried for cement manufacture, aggregates and construction. Local limestone deposits supply domestic building materials and small-scale cement production, supporting infrastructure and urban development needs.
Sand & gravel
Sand and gravel are widely extracted from rivers, coastal areas and quarries for construction and land reclamation. They are locally essential mined commodities, heavily used in urban development and infrastructure projects.
Clay (brick-making)
Various clays are quarried for bricks, tiles and pottery across Sierra Leone. These deposits support local building industries and small-scale manufacturing, supplying affordable construction materials in towns and rural areas.
Silica sand
Silica-rich sands occur in river and coastal settings and are used for glassmaking, foundry sand and construction. Sierra Leone supplies silica sand locally, often from small-scale extraction for industrial and building uses.
