Gbargonia, Bong County – A heated dispute has emerged in Zota District, Bong County, where local residents are protesting against H&K Mining Inc., and a Chinese-owned company accused of attempting to begin operations without proper consultation or agreement with affected communities.
H&K Mining, which has held a “Class A” mining license in the district since 2022, is facing accusations from residents of Wolapolu who claim the company is encroaching illegally on their lands.
The community members say they have been lawfully mining in the area under the umbrella of TA-TANG Mining; a “Class B” licensed company, and now feels their rights and livelihoods are under threat.
Fueling the tension further are allegations against Bong County Police Commander Fasu Sheriff, whom some locals accuse of supporting H&K’s activities. While residents report seeing he in the company of mining officials, Commander Sheriff has denied any wrongdoing, stating he lacks the authority to remove a legally licensed company from its designated site.
In response to growing unrest, a high-level delegation comprising Bong County Superintendent Loleyah Hawa Norris, District Representative Robert Womgba, and County Attorney Jonathan Flomo visited the area on Sunday to mediate.
However, the meeting met resistance from local residents who insisted that H&K Mining would not be allowed to operate until their concerns were fully addressed.
Addressing the aggrieved community in Gbargonia Town, Rep. Womgba appealed for patience and promised to engage both H&K and relevant county authorities within a week.
He assured residents he would return with a resolution based on those discussions, emphasizing dialogue over confrontation.
Superintendent Norris, in her remarks, expressed disappointment over what she described as disrespect shown toward the mediation team.
She reminded residents that H&K Mining’s license had been validated by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, confirming its status as a legitimate “Class A” operator.
Norris encouraged the community to seek justice through legal channels rather than public standoffs.
Meanwhile, an insider at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that the conflict might be more complex than it appears.
According to the source, TA-TANG Mining has been found guilty of overstepping its boundaries and encroaching on land reserved for H&K. As a result, the Ministry reportedly suspended TA-TANG’s operations indefinitely and imposed a fine of USD 2,000 on the company.
As the promised one-week consultation period draws near, tensions remain high in Zota Wolapolu. While residents demand transparency and accountability, authorities are urging calm and continued dialogue.
The outcome of the upcoming negotiations could determine not only the future of mining in the district but also the stability and livelihood of the communities affected.
