At Sierra Leone Mining Week 2026, Aminata Kamara Pushes Conversation Beyond Tokenism

One of Sierra Leone’s leading C-suite mining executives and human capital management consultants, Aminata Kamara, played a central role in closing discussions at the 2026 Sierra Leone Mining Week, where she served as both the keynote framing speaker and moderator for the panel titled “Women in Mining: Beyond Tokenism to Structural Change.”

The panel brought together industry leaders, including representatives from Sierra Rutile Ltd, Meya Mining, Women in Mining Africa, and the National Minerals Agency, as they deliberated and proffered solutions to the systemic and cultural barriers affecting women’s participation in mining, as well as the structural changes required to address them.

In her panel discussion with the panellists, which includes women in mining and HR leaders,  Kamara discussed ongoing efforts by institutions such as the Sierra Leone Chamber of Mines and Women in Mining Africa to strengthen inclusion, alongside regulatory monitoring by the National Minerals Agency (NMA), which reports approximately 18% female representation in mining companies and 20% in artisanal mining operations.

Kamara, known for her role in advancing corporate governance in Sierra Leone, referenced gender-conscious approaches in international development programming, noting how institutions such as Marampa Mines, which has reported up to 30% female workforce participation, and internal gender task force initiatives within her professional environment focused on attracting, retaining, and developing women through educational support and structured career development pathways. 

Raising Important Questions on Gender Inclusion

Image: Aminata Kamara Moderating A Panel Themed “Women in Mining: Beyond Tokenism to Structural Change.”

Throughout the discussion, Kamara steered conversations toward practical solutions, focusing on issues such as recruitment, leadership opportunities, policy implementation, regulatory oversight, and accountability.

She challenged stakeholders to examine whether existing barriers facing women are cultural, structural, or institutional and encouraged discussions on how government, mining companies, and regulators can work together to create a more equitable industry.

The session also explored the effectiveness of gender provisions within Sierra Leone’s mining legislation and the role of regulatory institutions in ensuring compliance across the sector.

Addressing Persistent Inequalities

Image: From Right to Left: Ms. Esther Finda Kandeh — Director, Women in Mining, Sierra Leone • Ms. Naasu Fofanah — Board Member, Women in Mining Africa •⁠ Ms. Aminata Kamara Mining Executive and Human Capital Management Consultant •⁠ Ms. Hussine Yilla — External Affairs Manager, Sierra Rutile Ltd •⁠ Ms. Sangeetha Bala — Senior Human Resources Professional, Meya Mining •⁠ Ing. Mariam Khanu — Mining Engineer, National Minerals Agency

Speaking during the session, Kamara noted that women continue to face disadvantages in some areas of the mining industry despite ongoing efforts to improve inclusion.

“Sometimes, because of structural challenges, particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining, women and men performing the same work do not always receive equal opportunities, recognition, or compensation.”

Her remarks highlighted concerns about unequal access to opportunities and the need for stakeholders to move beyond commitments and focus on measurable outcomes.

Creating a Level Playing Field

Image: From left to right: Julius Daniel Mattai – Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma Esq. – Deputy Minister of Mines, Ingr Alhaji Hadji Dabo – Director General of the National Minerals Agency

Kamara emphasized that meaningful inclusion requires creating environments where women can participate fully and benefit equally from opportunities within the mining sector.

“We must ensure that safety, inclusion, and fair treatment are embedded throughout the sector.”

She added, “Creating a level playing field means removing barriers that prevent women from fully participating and benefiting from economic opportunities.”

The discussion examined how mining companies, government institutions, communities, and development partners can contribute to achieving these goals.

A Call for Accountability and Collaboration

Karefa Kargbo, Chair of Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation asking a question at the event

Kamara stressed that lasting progress will require collective effort and consistent action from all stakeholders involved in the sector.

“Consistent implementation, accountability, and collaboration across all levels are essential to achieving meaningful and lasting change.”

Her contribution helped place women’s inclusion at the centre of conversations during the 2026 Sierra Leone Mining Week, reinforcing the importance of practical reforms that create opportunities, improve representation, and strengthen participation across Sierra Leone’s mining industry.