A team from the Ministry of Mines and Energy has completed field inspection of the Singaporean WestCrest-Liberia company’s exploration site.
The site is located in Tokpahpolu Town, Bong County.
The company, according to report, now aspires to transition from exploration to production.
The ministry carried out the technical assessment over the weekend with a team of geologists and mining engineers, headed by the Deputy Minister for Operations, William Hines.
Hines and delegation, the release said, inspected drilled holes and samples of ore bodies the company collected and analyzed, which it believes, technically inform its decision to move into production.
WestCrest-Liberia’s exploration license covers locations in Bong, Margibi and Grand Bassa counties. It is interested in mining iron ore in the country.
Mr. Hines said the exercise gave the ministry a better picture of the level of exploration work the company has done, stating: “Results from the verification will be reviewed by the ministry for further determination regarding WestCrest’s proposal to obtain a Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) from the government.”
Hines told the company that the government welcomes more interested investors in establishing mining operations that will provide jobs for citizens, and support health, education, and further boost electricity provision by constructing roads.
Hines noted that the ministry will ensure that the appropriate processes and procedures leading to the government granting MDAs to would-be mining companies are strictly applied.
He meanwhile, lauded WestCrest-Liberia for the cooperation the ministry received from them during the field visit, which was an integral part of the ministry’s assessing the full operational capacity of the exploration company to properly handle mineral production (iron ore).
As part of their application for MDA, the company earlier made a power-point presentation on June 4, 2025, explaining their plans and readiness for establishing a Class ‘A’ Iron Ore mining company.
Some members of Hine’s delegation were the Deputy Minister for Planning, Research and Development, Fahnseth Mulbah, Assistant Minister for Mineral Exploration and Environmental Research, Oliver Gbegbe.
Source: MME Public relations