By: Desmond Gbeleh Wion
BUCHANAN CITY, Grand Bassa County – Grand Kru County Senator Numene T.H. Bartekwa, Sr. has called for sweeping reforms in Liberia’s mining sector, insisting that Liberians must take greater ownership and control over the country’s vast natural resources.
Over the weekend, addressing a huge crowd during the 3rd Edition of the Government Town Hall Program held in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, Senator Bartekwa passionately addressed concerns surrounding the exploitation of Liberia’s mineral wealth and the role of the Liberian Senate in safeguarding national resources.
Supporting the Call for Review of Mineral Agreements, Stronger Local Ownership, and Greater Benefits from Liberia’s Natural Resources
Responding to a question asked by a concerned citizen regarding how the Liberian Senate protects the country’s natural resources, Senator Bartekwa said the issue remains a collective national responsibility requiring stronger laws, greater accountability, and deliberate policies aimed at empowering Liberians in the mining sector.
“That question concerns all of us,” Senator Bartekwa declared. “The Senate has the responsibility to ensure that the government puts into place appropriate laws capable of controlling the exploitation of our natural resources.”
The Grand Kru lawmaker emphasized that one of the most significant legislative interventions recently undertaken by the Liberian Senate was the push to ensure that Class ‘B’ Mining Licenses are granted exclusively to Liberian citizens.
According to him, reserving certain categories of mining licenses for Liberians represents one of the strongest methods of protecting the country’s mineral wealth from excessive foreign domination.
“Mining of our resources should primarily benefit Liberians,” he asserted. “
The only reason government partners with foreign investors is because we presently lack the full financial and technical capacity needed for large-scale exploitation.”
Push for Greater Liberian Participation
Senator Bartekwa stressed that Liberia must gradually transition from being merely a supplier of raw materials to becoming a nation that substantially benefits from the extraction and processing of its own resources.
He warned that despite Liberia’s rich deposits of gold, iron ore, diamonds, and other minerals, ordinary Liberians continue to receive minimal direct benefits from concession agreements signed with multinational corporations.
Currently, under Liberia’s mineral development arrangements, government revenues are largely derived from taxes, royalties, social development funds, and concession-related obligations.
However, the Senator argued that the royalty percentages being paid by some concessionaires remain too small compared to the enormous profits generated from Liberia’s minerals.
“Beside taxes, the country’s major direct benefit is royalties, and in many cases those royalties remain around three percent,” Senator Bartekwa lamented.
“We believe Liberia deserves a better share from the exploitation of its resources.”
Calls for Review of Mineral Development Agreements
The Senator further disclosed that there are growing discussions within government circles and among lawmakers regarding the possible review of existing Mineral Development Agreements (MDAs) to ensure fairer benefits for Liberia.
Under Liberia’s Minerals and Mining Law of 2000, as amended, the Government of Liberia possesses authority to negotiate Mineral Development Agreements with investors engaged in large-scale mining operations.
These agreements are subsequently ratified by the National Legislature and carry the force of law upon publication into handbills.
The Liberian Minerals and Mining Law also provides several categories of mining licenses, including:
Class A License – Reserved for large-scale mining operations;
Class B License – Primarily intended for Liberian-owned small-scale mining activities;
Class C License – Designed for artisanal and small-scale mining by Liberian citizens.
Bartekwa noted that the reservation of certain licenses for Liberians is intended to promote local participation and economic empowerment in the extractive sector.
Senator Bartekwa maintained that strengthening these provisions remains essential to protecting Liberia’s long-term national interest.
Senate’s Oversight Responsibility
The Grand Kru Senator also highlighted the Senate’s constitutional oversight role in monitoring concession agreements and ensuring government compliance with laws governing the extractive industries.
Under Article 34 of the Liberian Constitution, the Legislature possesses authority to ratify concession agreements and enact laws regulating the utilization of national resources.
Additionally, Liberia is a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI/EITI), which seeks to promote transparency and accountability in the management of revenues generated from natural resources.
Bartekwa argued that beyond merely passing laws, government must also ensure strict enforcement and eliminate corruption associated with the management of natural resources.
“The government must show seriousness,” he cautioned. “Without proper enforcement, even the best laws will fail.”
Concerns Over Foreign Dominance
The Senator further expressed concern over what he described as the growing imbalance between foreign investors and local participation within Liberia’s mining sector.
He warned that many Liberians continue to face barriers in accessing opportunities in the extractive industry due to inadequate financing, lack of technical training, and weak institutional support.
According to him, empowering Liberians through education, technical training, and access to capital will help reduce dependence on foreign corporations.
He also urged government to strengthen local content policies aimed at ensuring Liberians secure more employment opportunities and business contracts within mining concession areas.
Growing National Debate
Senator Bartekwa’s remarks come amid increasing public debate over whether Liberia is receiving fair economic returns from its natural resources despite decades of mining activities across the country.
Several civil society organizations, policy analysts, and lawmakers have repeatedly called for the review of concession agreements, arguing that local communities continue to experience poverty, environmental degradation, and underdevelopment despite hosting major mining operations.
The Government Town Hall Program, organized by the Ministry of Information to foster direct citizen engagement with government officials, has increasingly become a platform for discussing national development challenges, governance, and accountability.
Bartekwa’s comments are expected to further intensify national conversations surrounding resource ownership, concession transparency, and economic nationalism in Liberia’s extractive sector.
As debates continue, many Liberians remain hopeful that future reforms within the mining industry will guarantee stronger local participation and more equitable distribution of the nation’s vast mineral wealth.
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