The National Civil Society Union of Liberia has welcomed the signing into law of the Mineral Development Agreement of Bea Mountain Mining Company – a multinational concessionaire operating in the country’s western region of Grand Cape Mount County.
In a statement the group commended Bea Mountain Mining Company for allowing locals to directly review and incorporated their ideas into the final concession document.
Grand Cape Mount County has witnessed a number of uneasiness from some citizens raising issues of discontent from multinational corporations operating in the area. But persistent efforts from national government and actors in the mineral sector has brought calm thus culminating into the Legislature renewing the Company’s concession for another 25 years.
“With the new amended agreement, we want dialogue to take preeminence over violent actions that distract government’s obligation to deliver on national development,” Amos Kenneh the group leader said.
Under the new agreement, the company intends to make an additional investment of $520 million United States dollars. However, to proceed with this investment, the company require an amended contract due to the three years remaining on the existing Mineral Development Agreement.
Also, the new agreement outlines the employment of an additional four thousand Liberians and an increase in the number of Liberians in senior managerial positions. In the current amendment, the company has proposed additional areas for exploration.
