Africa-Press – Liberia. Residents of local communities in Arcelor Mittal Liberia (AML) concessional areas in Nimba County have expressed their dissatisfaction with the company and its operations. Residents from Zor, Sehyi, Yarmie, and Gboa, led by their traditional representative known as “Country Devil,” staged a protest on May 6, disrupting the company’s activities at Mt. Nimba and Mt. Torkade.
Representatives of these communities, comprising elders, women, and youth, simultaneously staged another protest on Capitol Hill in Monrovia where they presented a petition, urging lawmakers to address their concerns. The group spokesperson, Grace Barry, highlighted the communities’ opposition to the proposed extension of AML’s Mineral Development Agreement.
The locals, in a resolute communiqué, expressed their firm opposition to the proposed extension of the Mineral Development Agreement by Arcelor Mittal.
“We stand united to resist any attempts to prolong the tenure of Arcelor Mittal and call for remedial actions to address the damage already inflicted upon our lands and people,” they noted in the communiqué. “We appeal to all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, environmental advocates, and concerned citizens, to stand in solidarity with us as we strive to protect our communities from further exploitation and degradation.”
The communities cite various concerns, including the company’s failure to fulfill its obligations, disregard for the Community Land Right Act, and negative impacts on the environment, health, and livelihoods of the residents.
“We, the mine-affected communities [Zor, Sehyi, Yarmie & Gboa], hereby address this communique to express our collective stance regarding the request for an extension of the Mineral Development Agreement by Arcelor Mittal & extension of operation to others mountains,” the communities said. “We unequivocally state our resolute opposition to the granting of any such extension due to a multitude of grave issues that remain unaddressed.”
The locals said that Arcelor Mittal has continually failed to uphold its obligations as outlined in the existing agreement with the government. Despite making promises of sustainable and responsible mining practices, the residents noted that the company has consistently fallen short of its commitments, resulting in a range of “adverse impacts on our communities.”
The locals added that AML has blatantly disregarded the Community Land Right Act, thereby disrespecting our rights as rightful owners and custodians of the land on which the mining activities take place.
“The company’s operations have encroached upon our lands, disrupting our way of life, and causing irreparable harm to our environment,” the communiqué noted, adding that the environmental degradation caused by Arcelor Mittal has had far-reaching consequences on their health, livelihoods, and overall well-being.
The reckless exploitation of natural resources, destruction of our forests, and the depletion of biodiversity essential for our sustenance.
The communities noted that they have reached a breaking point where the continued presence of Arcelor Mittal in their area not only jeopardizes their present circumstances but also undermines the prospects of a sustainable future for the coming generations.
“The cumulative impact of their actions has engendered a deep sense of mistrust and resentment within our communities, making it abundantly clear that any extension of their operations would only exacerbate our suffering,” they said.
The locals emphasized the need for the government to prioritize their well-being over corporate interests and call for remedial actions to address the damage already caused. The communities urge all stakeholders to stand in solidarity with them to protect their lands from further exploitation and degradation.
“Considering the foregoing, we demand that the government carefully consider our grievances and take a principled stand against the extension of the MDA requested by Arcelor Mittal, denying them the right of exclusivity over the train track to give rise to multi-user service; in order to attract foreign investment within the Mining Industry of Liberia,” the local said in the communiqué. “We believe the authorities must prioritize the well-being of the affected communities over the profit-seeking interests of corporations that have shown little regard for human rights, environmental protection, and community welfare.”
“This communique serves as a formal record of our collective opposition to the extension of the Mineral Development Agreement sought by Arcelor Mittal. We urge all relevant parties to heed our voices, respect our rights, and act following the principles of justice, equity, and environmental sustainability.”
In response, AML, in a statement released late Tuesday evening, acknowledged the presence of community members at its mine sites and attributed the protest to Boima Morgan of Solway, a rival company, following a dispute over concession areas. The company confirmed no injuries and ongoing engagement with authorities to address the situation.
“ArcelorMittal confirms that there were no injuries and traditional society leaders have now left its site in Yekepa Township but remain at the mine,” the statement said. “No harm was brought to members of the local community or to AML staff. AML Management will continue to engage with government and enforcement authorities to ensure that strong action is taken following this disruption.”
Meanwhile, the ongoing crisis in Nimba underscores the tensions between local communities and mining companies in the region, with grievances centering on environmental concerns and corporate responsibilities.
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