By: Varney Dukuly
KINJOR, GRAND CAPE MOUNT: The Citizens of Grand Cape Mount County have advanced several recommendations to the Government of Liberia against the investment activities of the Turkish MNG Gold Mining Company, describing its steps against them as ‘inhumane.’
During a recent protest in the county, the people of Cape Mount called for responsible gold mining that will create jobs for citizens and build infrastructure for the benefit of the locals and national government.
“In Commercial Gold Mining, Liberia is losing capital to the Gold Oligarchs of Turkey, while indirectly impoverishing its citizens living near the coveted resources for the export markets,” the citizens said.
In Grand Cape Mount County, for years the people have raised alarms relating to Bea Mountain Mining Company’s alleged violations of their rights and privileges, some of which, according to the citizens, have led to loss of lives and injuries.
The problem started in 2023 when the former lawmakers of the erstwhile 54th National Legislature passed into law the first amendment to the restated and amended agreement of the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation (BMCC) amidst the company’s alleged failure to live up its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Liberian government.
So, on Friday the aggrieved citizens said, they were tired with the company’s alleged callous disregard of the injuries its operation has caused them.
According to the citizens, the company controlled every aspect of procurement and supplies, excluding local’s suppliers from creating indirect jobs and benefits from the operations of the Mine in the Liberian economy.
Additionally, they narrated that expatriates in MNG/BMMC are competing with citizens of the host country, Liberia, for jobs that can be locally sourced.
“For example, MNG expatriates are working as tire repairers, AC technicians, carpenters, heavy and light duty drivers, Yellow Machine Operators, Housekeepers, Cooks/Chefs, Nurses at an onsite clinic, Security-related guardsmen.”
“BMMC owns and operates a Mineral Water factory for the mineworkers, construction /Bricks layers, Fuel Pump Operators, IT Technicians, Clerical Support Staff, Supervisor, Superintendent, and Managers. Summarily, Turkish expatriates and the host country nationals in Liberia are at near parity,” the citizens indicated.
The people of Grand Cape Mount, among other things noted that unlike Burkina Faso where the Turkish Gold Mine Company is a member of the World Gold Council, in Liberia the MNG/BMMC is not a member of the WGC.
The chilling effects of MNG/BMMC non- membership, according to protesters, means they are not required to account annually for their social and economic contributions to the host country of their operations and other life-changing benefits.
MNG /BMMC expatriates have been occupying more than 70% of the top 10 Senior Management Positions of the Mine.
This violates the 2013 MDA and its amended version: the petition to the government said.
They claimed in their petition that MNG/BMMC does not share any of its needed services with the project-affected communities.
“Kinjor, Weaju, Matambo, and Ndablama are pitched-dark at nightfall, while the mine’s operational center is torched with surplus energy 24/7,” the petition added,
“Families of workers residing in the project affected communities are unable to access medical drugs and services from the health centers in the affected communities,” the citizens further asserted.
They said they welcome the government of President Joseph N. Boakai, to investigate complaints made against the company by the affected communities and their leadership, including the workers of the MNG/BMMC, over the company’s resistance to implement several key social and economic contributions as contained in the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA).
This, according to the citizens, former government of President George M. Weah never addressed.
Here, the citizens and workers assembled last week Friday to demand that MNG/BMMC takes immediate actions to address the following within two-weeks of the date of their petition, in order to guarantee its continued operations.
They said: “That MNG/BMMC and Government established a new country management team to be headed by a qualified Cape ‘Mountainian’ and other Liberians to help the mine secure its social license to operate freely and in compliance with the provisions of the Decent Work Act and obligations under their MDA.
Also, that positions reserved for Liberians in accordance with the revised Labor Regulation #17 (MDA section 13.1A, Jobs that foreigners are involved with such as Administrative Manager, Camp Managers, Accountant, HR, IT, Community Superintendents, Health & Safety Superintendent & Supervisors, Head of Drivers, Warehouse Managers & Supervisors, Mining Shift Engineers & Supervisors, Mining Shift Superintendent, Assistant Mining Managers, Electrical Managers, Procurement Managers & Supervisors, tire repairmen Supervisors, AC technicians, carpenters, heavy and light duty drivers, Yellow Machine Operators, Housekeepers, Cooks/Chefs, Nurses at an onsite clinic, Security-related/Manager/Supervisors guardsmen.
BMMC owns and operates a Mineral Water factory for the mineworkers, construction /Bricks layers, Fuel Pump Operators, IT Technicians, Clerical Support Staff, Supervisor, and Superintendents. Should be turned over to qualified Son, Daughters and other Liberians with immediate effects.
And among many others, that MNG/BMMC secures membership in the WGC on its operations in Liberia with immediate effects, just as Hummingbird did for its undeveloped Dugbeh operations in Sinoe County.
Th company’s management Team is yet to respond to the citizens’ recommendations as contained in said petition.
