29/08/2025
Grand Bassa County Senator, and Senate Pro Temp, Nyongblee Kangar Lawrence writes ✍️ 👇 👇
Clarifying the issue surrounding the tailings in Grand Bassa County:
The tailings are the residue left from the iron ore that LAMCO extracted from Liberia many years ago. After LAMCO departed, the residue referred to as tailings was transferred to the Government, with the understanding that the host country would benefit from the mining of the tailings.
The estimated quantity of the tailings is 11.6million metric tons.
What is the process for mining the tailings?
The Executive Branch, through the Lands, Mines, and Energy Ministry, should issue a tender for companies to apply for a mining license to move the tailings.
When a company meets the requirements and the permit is granted, that company will sign an agreement outlining how the county will benefit from the tailings operations.
No lawmaker, Senator, or Representative should be a signatory to any county agreement as the granting of mining licenses is a function of the executive. The involvement of any member of the legislative caucus compromises the oversight role of the legislature.
Since 2013, the tailings have been granted to three different entities through two different companies: Madam Clavena Parker, a Liberian; Mr. Sam Jonah from Ghana; and Madam Angela Lace from Ghana, through two different companies.
It has been twenty-two years since licenses were issued, and the tailings still sit there while the country and county wait to benefit. The companies that held the licenses have paid only small amounts of money to county authorities, but no substantial operations have occurred.
The County took the last company, Notre Dame, to court for noncompliance in Buchanan. A local judge ruled against Notre Dame. Notre Dame appealed to the higher court in Monrovia, which requested the Ministry of Lands and Mines to engage in administrative discussions to find solutions. The ministry also decided to cancel for noncompliance, and Notre Dame has forwarded the case to the Supreme Court.
While I support the cancellation for noncompliance, we must respect the Rule of Law, so we await the Supreme Court’s action.
Until the case is resolved, the Lands and Mines Ministry and the County cannot take action on the tailings.
Present situation:
The case was in court when the Minister of Internal Affairs, the acting superintendent at the time, and the caucus chair signed an agreement with a company to mine the tailings, knowing that the company lacked a license to do so.
They asked the company to deposit USD 500,000 into the County’s account after signing the agreement, and the company did so. When news of the payment circulated, county residents questioned the action, generating public debate.
I publicly stated at the induction of the superintendent that county legislators do not have authority to award mining licenses or negotiate executive contracts, even locally. Such actions compromise our oversight role, and a caucus member signing an executive contract is improper.
Present situation:
The company that signed the deal with the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus chair has since realized that it cannot begin operations because it does not have a license.
They held a press conference urging county authorities to grant the license, arguing that the USD 500,000 payment should be recognized, and they have threatened to sue the County for USD 4.5 million.
In response, the Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy issued a statement indicating that the tailings issue remains before the court and that no decision can be made until the court rules. The press conference also claimed that the transaction with the Steelfort company that paid USD 500,000 is criminal.
While awaiting the court’s decision, we advocate that the company that has held a license for over 15 years and has operated should have its license canceled for noncompliance. They have failed to deliver on the agreement.
I have also suggested to the President of Liberia that all mining licenses issued over a certain period should be reviewed and canceled for noncompliance.
Companies cannot acquire legal licenses and wait for years only to flip the licenses for their own benefit, while the country’s economy could grow from timely mining operations. This approach stalls growth and development.
Suggestions for the County tailings:
The Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy should initiate a new process immediately after the court ruling.
A roadmap for awarding a license for the tailings must be agreed upon by the minister, the county government, and reviewed by the county legislative caucus after consultation with citizens.
The roadmap should include proper vetting, due diligence, and a plan that ensures the country and county benefit from the tailings, including deposits to demonstrate the company’s capacity to deliver.
A timeline for starting tailings mining must be agreed upon, with violations leading to license cancellation with no obligation to the country or county.
Such a roadmap will attract credible companies capable of delivering.
Finally, signing an agreement with a company without a valid legal document is fraudulent and must be investigated. Information should also be provided to the county regarding the status of the USD 500,000.
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