ROYESVILLE, Montserrado County — Bao Chico Liberia Restricted has reaffirmed its dedication to sustainable growth and accountable funding in Liberia following President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s tour of the corporate’s pier development venture in Royesville.
By Obediah Johnson
The presidential go to, which befell on Wednesday, December 31, underscored renewed consideration to the corporate’s operations as the federal government weighs financial advantages—together with job creation—in opposition to public security, environmental safety, and regulatory compliance.
Bao Chico officers described the pier venture as a vital element of what they termed “viable financial operations in Liberia,” emphasizing adherence to nationwide legal guidelines, security requirements, and environmental finest practices.
The pier facility, located on a 31-acre website, is being developed with an preliminary loading capability of three million tons per 12 months, with growth plans that would enhance throughput to 10 million tons yearly. Section One of many venture contains the set up of 4 belt conveyors, every able to loading as much as 3,200 tonnes per hour, in keeping with venture specs.
Key infrastructure components—such because the wharf, breakwaters, harbor basin, and entry channel—are scheduled for completion between December 2025 and March 2026, marking a significant milestone in Liberia’s port and logistics infrastructure growth.
The go to, which introduced collectively high cupboard officers and lawmakers from Liberia’s western area, marked essentially the most important engagement but between the Boakai administration and Bao Chico for the reason that authorities halted the corporate’s operations in Might 2025 over security and compliance considerations associated to the transportation of iron ore on public highway networks linking Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Montserrado counties.
President Boakai stated the pier venture represents a vital step towards addressing these considerations and guaranteeing that mining actions ship tangible financial advantages with out endangering communities.
“Concession work has began on our main highways, and we need to see how all of them work collectively to make sure security for the general public whereas being a profit to each the corporate and the nation,” President Boakai informed reporters following the tour. He described Bao Chico as a “viable financial operation in Liberia,” however careworn that compliance and public security stay non-negotiable.
Excessive-Degree Delegation, Closed-Door Talks
The President was accompanied by Minister of State with out Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, Minister of Mines and Power, Matenokay Tingban, Nationwide Port Authority Managing Director Sekou Dukuly, Nationwide Safety Advisor Samuel Kofi Woods, and different senior officers. Senators Gbotoe Kanneh and Simeon Taylor, representing counties within the western area, additionally joined the delegation.
Following an on-site inspection, President Boakai held a closed-door assembly with Bao Chico’s administration, authorities officers, and lawmakers. In keeping with a supply accustomed to the dialogue, the President reiterated the necessity for the corporate to prioritize the protection of native communities and comply absolutely with nationwide laws.
The supply disclosed that the President intends to determine a technical workforce to assessment the corporate’s ongoing compliance measures, significantly the development of the pier, which is anticipated to scale back reliance on heavy trucking alongside public roads.
There have been additionally calls through the assembly for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bao Chico and native authorities in Royesville to formally seize group considerations and expectations.
Bao Chico first acquired an iron ore concession in western Liberia in 2008, masking elements of Gbarpolu and Bomi counties. The settlement was renewed in August 2021 by a 25-year Mineral Growth Settlement (MDA) signed beneath the previous CDC-led authorities of ex-President George Manneh Weah.
The pier venture, now beneath development, is considered by each the federal government and the corporate as a corrective measure geared toward easing these considerations.
Firm Reaffirms Dedication
In the course of the tour, Bao Chico’s administration outlined the standing of the pier development, mining operations, and company social duty initiatives.
The corporate has been legally registered in Liberia and operates as a three way partnership involving Baosteel Assets, CHICO, and CAD-Fund. Iron ore exploration in Gbarpolu County started in 2013, with the corporate securing its Mineral Growth Settlement and a mining license in July 2022.
In keeping with the administration, about 300 Liberians have already been employed, with extra jobs anticipated because the venture expands. Bao Chico famous it’s a long-term growth companion dedicated to sustainable funding in Liberia.
The pier, located on a 31-acre website, is designed with an preliminary loading capability of three million tons per 12 months, expandable to 10 million tons yearly. Section One development contains 4 belt conveyors with a loading capability of three,200 tonnes per hour. Key elements of the venture—together with the wharf, breakwaters, harbor basin, and channel—are scheduled for completion between December 2025 and March 2026.
The Royesville pier, at the moment beneath development, is a key element of BAO CHICO’s mining logistics, designed to help the export of minerals and cut back transportation bottlenecks. Firm officers stated the power will improve Liberia’s mining worth chain, create jobs, and enhance authorities income as soon as absolutely operational.
The corporate’s company social tasks
As well as, BAO CHICO disclosed that it has invested closely in highway transport infrastructure to help mining actions. A 65-kilometer laterite highway, constructed to a width of 18 meters with a design pace restrict of 60 km/h, has been accomplished. Regardless of repeated injury through the wet seasons of 2023, 2024, and 2025, the highway has undergone steady repairs and is now prepared for heavy-duty transport.
The corporate additionally operates a fleet of 100 vehicles, with 72 at the moment practical, every able to carrying a internet load of twenty-two tons and a most capability of fifty tons, to help mineral haulage.
Neighborhood Roads and Bridges
As a part of its CSR commitments, BAO CHICO has undertaken intensive highway and bridge upkeep in mining-affected communities, together with reinforcement repairs and guardrail set up on an present drawbridge close to Lot Carey Mission Village, rehabilitation and upkeep of the Lowoma–Totoquelleh Highway on the request of Gbarpolu County authorities, upkeep works alongside the Gogehn–Be Gole highway part, highway upkeep from Zordee Village to Julijuah Village, and maintenance of the social highway linking Bomi to Bopolu inside the mining hall.
Authorities Response
President Boakai recommended BAO CHICO for aligning its operations with nationwide growth priorities, significantly infrastructure growth and group engagement. He careworn the significance of accountable mining, adherence to environmental requirements, and significant advantages for host communities.
The tour, officers say, underscores the federal government’s dedication to attracting accountable international funding whereas guaranteeing that Liberia’s pure sources translate into tangible growth outcomes for its individuals.
Financial Expectations, Native Optimism
Residents expressed optimism that the President’s go to might pave the way in which for the lifting of the suspension and the resumption of operations.
They stated renewed mining actions would enhance livelihoods, create employment alternatives, and stimulate financial exercise in Royesville and neighboring communities. A number of residents famous that secure jobs would allow households to raised help schooling and family wants.
Bao Chico, in the meantime, disclosed plans for a US$600 million funding within the subsequent part of growth, together with a brand new concentrator plant, upgraded roads, and enhanced port services. The corporate additionally appealed to the federal government for a short lived haulage license to evacuate present iron ore stockpiles, citing the necessity for money stream to maintain the venture.
What Comes Subsequent
President Boakai assured that related ministries and businesses would proceed to evaluate the venture to make sure it meets security, environmental, and financial requirements.
The tour indicators a potential thaw in relations between the federal government and Bao Chico, because the administration balances group considerations with the broader purpose of attracting funding, creating jobs, and strengthening Liberia’s financial stability.
