Economic,Social And Environmental Impacts Of Liberia's Mining Industry

Liberia was a country of attraction in the early 1950 s with the substantial discovery of highgraded iron ore in commercial quantities in three of its fifteen counties,Bomi,Bong and Nimba.This led to the signing of concession agreements and subsequent extraction of iron ore.Between 1960 and 1980,Iron ore production became the primary source of revenue generation to Liberia's economy,with a contribution of 60% of economic earnings to national incomes,and 25% of GDP,introducing the country to the global market as one of the top producers and exporters of iron ore in Africa and the World.Despite the billions of tons of iron ore extracted from Liberia and the big-name Liberia gained around the world as the largest producer and exporter of iron ore in Africa,the country still classified as one of the poorest and under developed countries in the world,and its citizens still feed on less than US$1 per day.More besides,communities where these ores were mined receive nothing in return except multiple economic,social and environmental consequences.The case study is done on Bea Mountain Mining Corporation-Avesoro Resources Inc.,the largest gold mining company in the county.The case study method used in this investigation is squarely based on relevant data collection and analysis;focus was placed on revision of essential literature and accessing other useable source documents.In depth examination is on the economic,social and environmental impacts of mining concessions.The study also took a complete overview of the mining industry including legal instruments and policy framework.The research outlines the following as some of its key findings,the company failure to create livelihood restoration programs for affected communities,unclear employment opportunity for affected communities,indefinite water treatments for safe drinking water for surrounding communities,and failure of the company to define and implement baseline water quality as mentioned in its permit.In term of achievement,government,academic institutions,policy makers,students,even mineral concession companies can use this information and carve better policies that will bring sustainable development and improved economic,social and environmental advantage to communities that have shown mineral potential,thereby leaving these communities dwellers with tenable developments after mining operations have seized.