Africa-Press – Liberia. For weeks, the Senator has maintained that no environmental or safety impact assessment was conducted before AML began building the facility in Yekepa. However, official records paint a different picture.
An environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and two official permits issued by Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have debunked recent claims by Senator Nya Twayen that ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) constructed its multi-million-dollar iron ore concentrator in Toledeh, Nimba County without proper environmental clearance.
Last week, Senator Twayen lodged a formal complaint against AML before the Liberian Senate, prompting Plenary to direct the Secretary of the Senate, J. Nanborlor F. Singbeh, Sr., to request copies of the environmental impact assessment report and permits from the EPA regarding the ongoing concentrator construction.
For weeks, the Senator has maintained that no environmental or safety impact assessment was conducted before AML began building the facility in Yekepa. However, official records paint a different picture.
ESIA Completed, EPA Permits Granted
Contrary to Senator Twayen’s assertions, AML commissioned and submitted a full ESIA for the Tokadeh Iron Ore Processing Plant in compliance with Liberian environmental law. The report was prepared by the globally recognized environmental consultancy URS/AMEC Foster Wheeler, in partnership with Earthtime Inc., and was formally submitted to the EPA.
Documents reviewed by FrontPage Africa reveal that AML submitted 21 detailed reports covering a wide range of environmental and social factors. These include a Framework Resettlement Action Plan, environmental Management Plan, noise and air pollution studies, climate Change and Geo-Mapping Reports, Zoological and Botanical Impact Assessments, landscape character reports, conservation International submissions.
These reports supported the EPA’s decision to renew two environmental permits, covering AML’s operations in Tokadeh and at the Port of Buchanan.
The ESIA specifically states: “This ESIA has been conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection and Management Law (EPML) of Liberia and EPA guidelines for Category A projects.”
Category A status indicates a project with potentially significant environmental and social risks—requiring full assessment, public consultation, and EPA approval.
What the ESIA Covered
The ESIA offered a thorough review of existing environmental conditions in the Tokadeh-Yekepa area, including air and water quality, biodiversity, noise levels, and soil composition. Social factors such as population demographics, health indicators, livelihoods, and cultural heritage were also examined.
The report identified potential impacts—such as dust, noise from heavy machinery, and sediment runoff—but also proposed clear mitigation strategies including dust suppression systems, buffer zones, community safety plans, and vegetation management.
Project Overview (Phase II Expansion)
The ESIA describes the scope of the iron ore concentrator project, which spans the extraction, crushing, screening, and magnetic/flotation concentration of 15 million tonnes of ore annually, running from 2015 to 2034.
Mining operations will be carried out at Yuelliton (up to 200m deep), Gangra (175m), and Tokadeh (100m), covering 1,200 hectares of active mining space. Supporting infrastructure includes a 303-hectare Tailings Management Facility, 146 hectares of treatment ponds, a 2,146-hectare mine exclusion zone, new townships in Yekepa and Buchanan with housing, sewage, and waste systems, emporary camps for 1,250 construction workers and a railway maintenance facility in Bong County
According the company, the ESIA builds upon earlier studies from 2010 and 2011, updating biological and social surveys for the Phase II expansion. It notably states that no involuntary resettlement was required, as all construction occurred within AML’s existing concession area.
Public consultations were held extensively across Nimba County with community leaders, women and youth groups, and local government representatives.
EPA Permit Affirms Legality
The EPA formally renewed AML’s environmental permit on August 10, 2024, under the signature of Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel K. Urey Yarkpawolo. The permit (Ref: EPA/EC/ESIA/EMPS/004-0113Rand) covers ore processing at Tokadeh, operation of the concentrator in Yekepa, and activities at the Buchanan Port.
It states: “This permit is issued pursuant to the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia (2003), Part III, Sections 8 (1), 11 (1), and 13. It authorizes ArcelorMittal Liberia Limited to conduct Phase II mining and processing activities within the coordinates specified herein.”
The permit remains valid until December 20, 2027, and sets firm conditions for ongoing monitoring of air and water quality, noise control, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement. It warns of penalties for noncompliance, including possible suspension or prosecution.
So, What’s Behind the Senator’s Claims?
Despite overwhelming documentary evidence, Senator Twayen continues to allege that no environmental review was conducted. His claims are now contradicted by public records, legal documentation, and third-party environmental evaluations.
The situation raises serious questions: What motivated the Senator’s public accusations? Were they based on misinformation—or intended for political posturing?
Conclusion: Verified Facts vs. Political Spin
“The record is clear: AML conducted a legally required ESIA, followed the EPA’s permitting process, and engaged local communities. The project was approved under Liberia’s highest environmental standards for mining,” said a source from the EPA.
Senator Twayen’s repeated assertions are not only unfounded but risk undermining national regulatory institutions and creating uncertainty for investors seeking to operate responsibly in Liberia.
Liberians deserve evidence-based leadership—particularly on issues as consequential as environmental protection and sustainable development.
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