Monrovia, Liberia – Concerned about delays in accessing Liberian infrastructure for the transportation of iron ore, the Nimba Development Company (NDC) has warned that it “cannot afford to wait idly” while talks over rail access through Liberia stagnate.
NDC mentioned other, less developed organizations that are still influencing discussions about utilizing Liberian transportation infrastructure, but it did not name any businesses.
The Liberian government’s continuous discussions have disappointed NDC, which has obtained regulatory approvals with the Guinean government, calling them “unproductive” and a roadblock to forward.
“The fact that this conversation is being entertained by the Liberian government is unproductive and only serves to delay critical progress,” said the NDC. The business underlined that shared access clauses in its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) allow it to function effectively with the necessary Guinean licenses.
The Guinean government owns the remaining 15% of Société de Développement Nimba (SDN), which is owned by NDC, a contemporary mining corporation with a concentration on West Africa.
Together, they aim to responsibly develop the Nimba Iron Ore Project and its associated infrastructure in the Nimba region. Initially, NDC had planned to transport ore via Liberia’s railway from Yekepa to Buchanan.
However, due to the recent delays and uncertainty, it has opted to temporarily route shipments through the Ivory Coast. “Until then, we will continue to use Ivorian infrastructure to advance our project, as we cannot delay further,” NDC added.
The company reiterated its readiness to increase tonnage on the Buchanan-Yekepa railway and invest $170 million in developing a dedicated port in Buchanan, contingent upon the ratification of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s third MDA and assurances of rail access.
NDC highlighted the importance of involving the Guinean government in any discussions about Liberian infrastructure, noting that these conversations “should not be held in a vacuum.”
A technical review session on the terms and structure of the NDC for the Nimba Iron Ore Project was held in Conakry on October 15. Environmental specialists, project managers, and officials who evaluated the project’s 22.83 km² mining area and its possible impacts on the Nimba Mountains’ biodiversity and nearby communities were among the attendees.
Under the GAJAH Investment Group, the project, which is funded by Belgian and British companies Africa Mining Corporation BV and AMCO, pledges to boost the local economy by creating jobs, raising taxes, and supporting infrastructure. However, the project must adhere to stringent environmental regulations because of its close vicinity to the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Environmental conservation was a major priority, and the technical committee emphasized that attaining environmental compliance would need for “exceptional rigor.” A thorough environmental and social impact assessment must be conducted by NDC. Although mining permits are not issued by Guinea’s Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Mines must first get a positive evaluation before issuing an exploitation permit.
Guinean shareholders who are willing to support Guinea’s economic development are part of NDC’s skilled management team and UK registration. The national coordinator for the corporation emphasized the importance of the project and mentioned that Guinea will keep 15% of the earnings from exploitation. “We look forward to the commencement of on-the-ground operations, as iron is a vital asset for us,” she stated.
The NDC report was provisionally approved at the end of the review session, as long as the suggestions were included in the Nimba Mountains’ biosphere management and development plan.
NDC has shown its willingness to move on with its project via Ivorian roads, demonstrating its dedication to economic and environmental norms in Guinea’s Nimba area, even if its final objective is to use Liberian transportation infrastructure.
