A fewer number of Civil society organizations (CSOs) have called for comprehensive reforms in the mining sector.
The reform is to ensure that the mineral wealth delivers meaningful benefits to local communities, particularly those directly affected by mining activities.
The call was made on Thursday, October 1, during a roundtable discussion on mining sector reform held in Monrovia. The dialogue was co-organized by the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), and Integrated Development and Learning (IDL) as the country prepares to revisit its 2000 mining law.
The event brought together civil society organizations, media representatives, and residents from some of the mining-affected communities. They discussed key reforms needed to make the mining sector more transparent, accountable, inclusive, and beneficial to citizens.
The consortium of CSOs supporting the initiative included SDI-Friends of the Earth Liberia, Sustain Earth and Equity Defenders (SEED), the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) and IDL.
Participants identified several priority areas for reform, including strengthening transparency and accountability in the mining sector, and establishing a robust beneficial ownership regime to identify the individuals, who ultimately own and benefit from operating mining companies.
They also called for stronger institutional oversight, including consideration of a dedicated authority responsible for mining licensing, as well as clear mechanisms to ensure that communities affected by mining operations receive direct, and meaningful benefits from the resources extracted from their areas.
Participants further recommended that a specific portion of mining companies’ social contributions be allocated directly to communities impacted by mining activities.
The dialogue also emphasized the need for mining policies to recognize the different experiences, and needs of women within mining communities.
CSOs additionally called for stronger legal, and regulatory provisions for artisanal mining, local mineral refining, and mineral traceability to ensure that Liberia gains greater value from its mineral resources, and improve accountability in the sector.
IDL Executive Director, Silas K. Siakor, underscored the importance of economic growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that would translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Liberians.
