Cape Mount Lauds GoL for Revoking Mining License

Citizens of Grand Cape Mount County have congratulated government for the termination of the CLASS B Mining License of the Wea-jue Hill Mining Company in the County.

The company is currently carrying out mining activity in Gola Konneh District, Grand Cape Mount County, but citizens of Mana-gorduah Clan are demanding that the company leaves the clan immediately on grounds that the government, through the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy has since terminated the CLASS B Mining License.

According to the government, the company’s failure  to submit a production plan prior to the commencement operation  as well as to provide information relative to the exportation of minerals extracted from Liberia. Speaking on Friday, September 30, 2011 in Mana-gorduah Town during a meeting under the auspices of the Mana-gorduah Zone Development Association, the citizens described the government’s action as prudent.

Women, traditional and youth leaders and others at the meeting called on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to personally get involved to ensure that Wea-Jue Hill Mining Company immediately give way for the Bea Mountain Corporation to commence operation in the county to provide employment for them. They expressed optimism that the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation will create more employment opportunities for them, including other basic services.

The citizens displayed two letters from the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy dated August 19 and September 15, 2011, respectively and addressed to the Wea-jue Hill Mining Company and the county’s Superintendent Catherine Khasue. They explained that the letters outlined the company’s alleged failure to submit a production plan, including other relevant information about its activities.

During the meeting, which was held a day before the arrival of President Johnson Sirleaf in the county recently in continuation of her campaign tour, the citizens revealed a letter written by the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy to the company, also citing its failure to meet requisite standards.

In the Ministry’s September 15,2011 letter to Superintendent Khasue it detailed that following a review of documentations presented by the company and the Bea Mountain Corporation, coupled with independent field trips, it has reached a conclusion that the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation has undisputed legal title over the property that the Wea-jue Mining Company was operating .

The community leaders told Journalists on the day of the meeting in Mana-gorduah Town that the rehabilitation of a school catering to children in the Wea-jue area by the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation and its involvement in other developmental initiatives in recent times were indications of its willingness to improve the lives of Liberians in Mana-gorduah Clan.

They named deplorable road condition as one of their major disappointments for which they want the Wea-jue Hill Mining Company to give way for the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation to commence operation to rescue their situation.