By: Varney Dukuly
MONROVIA: A leading global mineral development giant, High Power Exploration (“HPX”), and its subsidiaries Ivanhoe Liberia and Société des Mines de Fer de Guinée (SMFG), has announced its commitment to investment plans in Liberia with focus to significantly contribute to the redevelopment of the Yekepa-Buchanan railway and Buchanan port.
Ivanhoe Liberia Chairman, Guy de selliers in a video message described the railroad project from Yekepa to the port of Buchanan as a legendary infrastructure asset.
“We are looking forward to working in partnership with the government and others in particular with Arcelor Mittal of course to triple the capacity of that railroad and port to the benefits of all and in particular the Liberian economy,” Ivanhoe Liberia Chairman, Guy de selliers stressed.
The company has also agreed to uphold to the highest standards of social responsibility, safety and environmental care towards the Liberian people as part of its investment drive to bring success to the Liberian nation.
This commitment, according to Ivanhoe Liberia Chairman, has been demonstrated in nations of the world especially areas where Robert Friedland have been involved in.
Robert Friedland and High Power Exploration (“HPX”), and its subsidiaries Ivanhoe Liberia and Société des Mines de Fer de Guinée (SMFG), have significant ambition in West Africa to develop iron ore deposits in the region.
“Robert Friedland and our group want to carry out more explorations to bring our successes, the successes we had in other parts of the world to Liberia and the West African region,” he said.
High Power Exploration (“HPX”) has however, rubbished a FrontPage Africa news article which suggests HPX issued a payment to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia in exchange for “Legislative Engagement”.
The company reacted particularly to FPA April 7, 2022 edition which among other things quoted a purported document circulating in the public and also linking Speaker Bhofal Chambers of receiving US$500,000 from the company’s CEO Guy de Sellier.
But HPX in a statement confirms that the allegation published by the local newspaper is categorically false and the purported “cash receipt” document pictured in the article is fake.
Accordingly, HPX and its subsidiaries operate globally to the highest ethical standards and in full compliance with all legal requirements. HPX is committed to the eradication of corruption and bribery of any kind.
Recently the government of Liberia signed an amended and restated Framework Agreement with High Power Exploration (HPX) reaffirming the principles for HPX’s non-discriminatory access to critical Liberian rail and port infrastructure and identifying HPX’s requirements for the future evacuation of ore from Guinea Nimba Iron ore project.
The Framework Agreement, which is immediately effective, also sets out timetable for detailed negotiations and the implementation of a definitive concession and Access Agreement for HPX’s infrastructure requirements.
The Framework Agreement, the company notes is another step forward in the realization of the benefits of the Guinean Nimba Iron Ore project which will provide significant social and economic benefits to both Guinea and Liberia once in production.
Following the signing of the Agreement, the chairman of Ivanhole Liberia, Guy de Selliers, commented that:
“This Framework Agreement for access to critical Liberian port and rail infrastructure is an important step forward in making the Guinea Nimba Ore project reality. It is clear that our project will deliver significant benefits in the form of investment, employment and recurring income for both Guinea and Liberia.
Through this Framework Agreement and the upcoming definitive Concession and Access Agreement, HPX is committed to ensuring that Liberia and the Liberian people reap fair share of the benefits of the Guinea Nimba Iron Ore project.
In addition, we want to develop our own mining activities in Liberia and have committed to start immediately identifying potential projects and exploration targets.
Now it’s time for all of us who care about mining and infrastructure in the region of become true partners and work together. Together with the Government, I really look forward to working co-operatively alongside ArcelorMittal to accelerate the development of both our Guinean Nimba Iron Ore Project and the planned expansion of their Liberia operations for the benefit of the Guinean and Liberian people, including as users of a passenger and freight rail service.”
