Verity News has received a 32-count petition from affected communities of Grand Cape Mount County, none of which has been addressed by Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC) amid flagrant violation of its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA).
The petition states, “We have no justice up to now since police officers killed three (3) of our citizens and our concerns are being ignored.
The government even deployed more AFL, PSU, and ERU personnel to protect the Turkish people. Bea Mountain still marginalizes and exploits local workers and citizens of affected workers.
President Boakai promised to meet with us but that has not happened since then. We demand a renegotiation of BMMC’s 25-year MDA because they need to pay their fair share.”
Citizens from affected communities and workers of the Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC) are raising their voices for justice and responsible gold mining practices.
As Liberia continues to harness its rich gold resources, the local population is advocating for these minerals to benefit their communities through job creation, infrastructure development, and significant tax revenues.
BMMC, the country’s first commercial gold mine, operated by the Turkish MNG Gold Mining Company, is at the canter of this movement.
While its operations are claimed to be transparent, local leaders and community members express concerns about the lack of accessible information regarding the mining company’s contributions to the economy and local communities.
In contrast, MNG’s operations in Burkina Faso are governed by the World Gold Council (WGC), which mandates annual reporting on social and economic impacts.
In Liberia, however, MNG/BMMC is not a WGC member, raising questions about its accountability and commitment to community welfare.
Locals report that MNG/BMMC has monopolized procurement processes, side-lining local suppliers and preventing the creation of indirect jobs.
The workers alleged that Expatriates are occupying numerous positions, often competing with Liberians for roles that should be filled by locals. Despite the significant revenue generated by gold sales—recently valued at over $2,000 per ounce—community members see little benefit from these operations.
In a thirty-two (32) counts petition, the citizens of Grand Cape Mount are calling for the following actions from MNG/BMMC including the establishment of a management team inclusive of local leadership to ensure compliance with the labour laws and community needs.
The petition also highlights prioritization of job opportunities for Liberians, particularly in administrative and technical roles.
They are calling on BMMC to have a membership in the World Gold Company (WGC) to promote transparency in their operations.
The citizens are among other things demanding a sharing of resources by BMMC with the local communities, including medical supplies, electricity, and infrastructure development.
The citizens’ petitions are also calling for the transitioning seasonal jobs to permanent positions in line with the Decent Work Act of 2015.
Additional demands include the provision of life insurance for workers, regular safety training, and the establishment of vocational programs to enhance local skill development.
The Citizens of Cape Mount are also insisting that the mining company provides them with clean drinking water and better healthcare facilities to address health concerns exacerbated by mining operations.
Sources disclosed to Verity investigation that since the company received the aggrieved citizens 38 counts petitions, none of the petitions have been met by the company.
Verity’s independent investigation also uncovered that Grand Cape Senator presiding over the case Dabah Vapilah has left the matter unattended and traveled abroad highlighting the insensitivity of the county leadership to the citizens plights.
This growing movement reflects a desperate need for the mining company to recognize its responsibilities to the communities it affects. As the situation develops, local citizens remain resolute in their demand for accountability and fair treatment from MNG/BMMC, underscoring the belief that gold mining should serve as a catalyst for genuine development rather than a source of exploitation.
