By Clarence Briggs
GRAND CAPE MOUNT COUNTY, LIBERIA — A Liberian human rights organization has called on the Government of Liberia to reconsider Bea Mountain Mining Corporation’s (BMMC) existing mining agreement, arguing that the current arrangement raises serious questions about competition, workers’ welfare, and development in communities hosting the company’s operations.
The Human Rights Group to Save Humanity Inc., through its Executive Director, Elijah Gbanjah-Seh, is appealing to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and members of the National Legislature to initiate a comprehensive review of the corporation’s Mineral Development Agreement (MDA).
The group argues that Liberia must reconsider the structure of its gold mining sector to encourage broader participation and ensure that the country’s mineral resources generate tangible benefits for its citizens.
According to Gbanjah-Seh, despite years of mining activities and substantial gold production by BMMC, several host communities in Grand Cape Mount County, including Weajue, Gold Camp, and Kinjor, allegedly remain without adequate access to essential public services, particularly schools and healthcare facilities.
The organization also expressed concern over the accommodation provided to Liberian employees, alleging that as many as four workers are assigned to a single small room, raising concerns about their privacy and general living conditions.
On infrastructure, Gbanjah-Seh accused the company of relying on water from nearby creeks and rivers to suppress dust along roads used for its mining activities rather than undertaking proper road-paving projects.
GROUP SEEKS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
The organization is urging the Boakai administration and the Legislature to examine the terms of the existing mining agreement, investigate concerns raised by affected communities, and strengthen protections for Liberian workers.
It further wants the government to reconsider the current mining arrangement and create opportunities for additional investors to participate in the country’s gold sector.
Citing the historical operations of the Liberia-American Swedish Mining Company (LAMCO) and Bong Mines, the group maintained that Liberia should pursue mining policies that promote competition while delivering stronger economic and social returns to local communities.
Meanwhile, when contacted for comment, BMMC’s Communication Department indicated that it would provide a response in the coming days.
The concerns raised by the organization have renewed questions about the responsibilities of major mining companies toward host communities and the extent to which Liberia’s mineral wealth is translating into improved living conditions for the people closest to its extraction.
As the government continues to pursue investment in the mining sector, the central issue remains whether communities hosting these operations are receiving a fair share of the benefits generated from their natural resources.
