Monrovia, Liberia – A major participant in Liberia’s mining industry, ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), has introduced a ground-breaking digital resettlement and land compensation policy aimed at improving the justice, openness, and structure of its land purchase and compensation operations.
All AML operational areas are covered by the new policy, including the Nimba County mining sites, the Grand Bassa Buchanan Port, the Yekepa-Buchanan railway corridor, and the Grand Bassa County Neekreen rock quarry.
The project addresses historical issues with land rights and compensation conflicts by introducing a digital system that combines technology, community involvement, and plain procedural language. The way farmers and landowners engage with concessionaires has undergone a radical change, particularly in country like Liberia that are resource-rich yet struggle with governance.
The new policy’s core component is a methodical procedure that guarantees impacted farmers and landowners are notified, consulted, and appropriately refunded. According to Shad Whabyely, AML’s Resettlement Officer, the policy is an important step in guaranteeing valid and effective land procedures.
AML initiates the procedure by submitting official land use requests, which are then followed by a number of community discussions and awareness events. These are intended to make sure that locals are aware of the guidelines, requirements for eligibility, and functions of different players, such as the government, AML, and community stakeholders.
Before any deal is made, a thorough baseline assessment and crop inventory will be conducted to determine what is currently on the property. Farmers get Resettlement ID Books with QR codes that connect them to validated information in AML’s digital land management platform, facilitating accurate identification and tracking. Payments for compensation will be made in compliance with national regulations when this verification is completed.
The policy establishes specific qualifying requirements in order to deter speculative planting and land exploitation according bto AML. Compensation is only available for crops cultivated in AML’s specified concession zones prior to January 1, 2020. These will be evaluated using Ministry of Agriculture standards. Except for crops grown on private property, crops planted in concession zones after January 1, 2020, are not eligible for reimbursement. The Ministry of Agriculture will decide on suitable compensation in these situations. These regulations aim to stop the misuse of land compensation programs, which has long been an issue with resettlement plans in Liberia and the surrounding area.
AML’s new policy offers a framework for leasing private property required for operations in addition to crop compensation. This entails concluding formal lease contracts with landowners, guaranteeing equitable pricing and lease conditions, and offering a grievance resolution procedure to address disagreements or issues brought up by farmers and landowners.
The policy’s significance in creating enduring relationships with communities was underlined by Marcus Wleh, AML’s Head of Sustainability and External Relations. He noted the company’s changing attitude to corporate social responsibility and said the strategy is another step toward creating long-lasting partnerships with local communities.
AML’s proposal has been praised by local and government leaders as a positive step in enhancing concession-community relations. The Nimba County Agriculture Office’s Amos W. Solee praised AML’s organized involvement and urged farmers to stay up to date on the most recent crop price regulations.
Augustus Greaves, a well-known Grand Bassa community leader, said the digital policy was appropriate. AML is one of Liberia’s largest taxpayers, he added, and the policy need to be widely disseminated to ensure farmers are aware of their rights and can make better future plans.
AML is now rolling out information sessions across its operational counties to educate affected farmers and landowners on how to engage with the new system. Community members are being encouraged to attend these meetings, register for their Resettlement ID Books, and submit any complaints or concerns through AML’s official communication channels.
ArcelorMittal Liberia is establishing itself as a standard for ethical land management techniques in the extractive industry of West Africa with this digital transformation. Other natural resource businesses working in comparable settings may find the combination of digital technologies, verification processes, and community involvement to be an example.
AML’s policy may mark a much-needed shift in how businesses engage with rural communities, balancing corporate goals with the rights and dignity of local landowners, as Liberia continues to struggle with land-related issues, particularly in concession zones.
The effective execution of this policy has the potential to enhance AML’s social license to operate and establish a new benchmark for transparent and inclusive resource governance in Liberia.
