NEWS HEADLINE: Ministry, NMA Engage Peace Diamond Trade Mission Delegation

Senior Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and National Minerals Agency (NMA) officials engaged nine Peace Diamond Trade Mission delegation members Thursday, discussing efforts to promote responsible diamond trading, strengthen traceability, and increase diamond mining benefits for local communities.

The meeting, held in the Ministry Conference Room, formed part delegation visit Sierra Leone October 11-16, 2026. The mission brings international jewellery professionals and diamond industry stakeholders to visit mining communities, engage artisanal miners, and learn about the country's diamond sector.

Chairing the meeting, NMA Deputy Director-General Kelvin Anderson welcomed the delegation, commending Rapaport Group's Peace Diamond initiative's role and Empower Africa's continuing to advance its legacy.

Anderson acknowledged that more work remains, but progress is being made, particularly in the Peace Diamond Village development in Koryardu. He identified key priorities: bringing more artisanal miners into the formal sector, improving diamond tracking, mining site exports, reducing fraud and smuggling, and keeping more diamond value within the country.

Anderson encouraged delegation members to use official channels when conducting business, investing in skills development and value addition, and accurately communicating Sierra Leone diamond story to international markets.

According to Anderson, Sierra Leone natural diamond stories and the communities behind them can be the country's greatest asset, helping promote Sierra Leone diamonds, as lab-grown diamonds continue influencing the global market.

"Sierra Leone's journey from conflict diamonds to Peace Diamonds is worth telling, and we are building a system to back it," he said.

Empower Africa Chief Executive Officer Ezi Rapaport thanked Ministry hosting meeting, commending the leadership demonstrated at national and community levels. He said he was encouraged by the commitment, direction, and stakeholder participation working making Peace Diamond initiative a success.

He said the Peace Diamond name was chosen to show Sierra Leone entered a new era where government and artisanal miners could work together transparently, promoting development.

"We wanted to tell the world Sierra Leone peaceful country and war days are long gone," he said.

Rapaport also commended the delegation travelling to Sierra Leone to learn about the country's diamond industry and contribution to telling its story. He expressed hope the Peace Diamond Village model would demonstrate what responsible trade could achieve when natural resource proceeds support communities where they originate.

Professional Diamond cutter Mickey Brookshire said Sierra Leone has a compelling story telling promoting natural diamonds. He stressed communicating natural stone origin history to consumers, noting stories connected to Sierra Leone diamonds could help distinguish them in an increasingly competitive market.

Mohamed Bah, Director, Precious Mineral Trading, NMA, said diamond revenues contribute to national development, explaining that three percent of diamond sales royalties are allocato tto the he ted to the Community Development Fund supporting mining community development.

He emphasised showcasing Sierra Leone prin ogress promoting natural diamonds internationally, highlighting the country's transition from a conflict diamond legacy towards responsible,onresponsiblee transparent diamond trading efforts—peace diamonds.

Rapaport closing statement reaffirmed confidence in natural diamonds' future and potential support to support Leone development.

Anderson said the Ministry and NMA remained committed to transforming the mineral sector for country benefit. He welcomed continued engagement with international partners, express in the ussions delegation would codiscussions ntinue beyond the mission and looking forward to welcoming them on their next visit.

Peace Diamond Trade Mission organised Rapaport Group and Empower Africa. Through mining community visits and government and industry stakeholder meetings, the mission seeks to strengthen connections between Sierra Leone diamond sector and international markets while promoting responsible trade and community development. Peace Diamond was a 709-carat diamond discovered by artisanal miners in Koryardu, Kono District, in March 2017. It was handed to the Government of Sierra Leone and sold at auction in New York for approximately US$6.5 million. Diamond became symbol efforts promoting responsible diamond trading and supporting community development where found.