Yekepa, Nimba County – An environmental and Social Affect Evaluation (ESIA) and two official permits issued by Liberia’s Environmental Safety Company (EPA) have debunked current claims by Senator Nya Twayen that ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) constructed its multi-million-dollar iron ore concentrator in Toledeh, Nimba County with out correct environmental clearance.
Final week, Senator Twayen lodged a proper criticism towards AML earlier than the Liberian Senate, prompting Plenary to direct the Secretary of the Senate, J. Nanborlor F. Singbeh, Sr., to request copies of the environmental influence evaluation report and permits from the EPA concerning the continuing concentrator development.
For weeks, the Senator has maintained that no environmental or security influence evaluation was performed earlier than AML started constructing the power in Yekepa. Nonetheless, official information paint a distinct image.
ESIA Accomplished, EPA Permits Granted
Opposite to Senator Twayen’s assertions, AML commissioned and submitted a full ESIA for the Tokadeh Iron Ore Processing Plant in compliance with Liberian environmental regulation. The report was ready by the globally acknowledged environmental consultancy URS/AMEC Foster Wheeler, in partnership with Earthtime Inc., and was formally submitted to the EPA.
Paperwork reviewed by FrontPage Africa reveal that AML submitted 21 detailed stories protecting a variety of environmental and social components. These embody a Framework Resettlement Motion Plan, environmental Administration Plan, noise and air air pollution research, local weather Change and Geo-Mapping Studies, Zoological and Botanical Affect Assessments, panorama character stories, conservation Worldwide submissions.
These stories supported the EPA’s choice to resume two environmental permits, protecting AML’s operations in Tokadeh and on the Port of Buchanan.
The ESIA particularly states: “This ESIA has been performed in accordance with the necessities of the Environmental Safety and Administration Legislation (EPML) of Liberia and EPA tips for Class A initiatives.”
Class A standing signifies a mission with doubtlessly vital environmental and social dangers—requiring full evaluation, public session, and EPA approval.
What the ESIA Lined
The ESIA provided a radical assessment of present environmental circumstances within the Tokadeh-Yekepa space, together with air and water high quality, biodiversity, noise ranges, and soil composition. Social components comparable to inhabitants demographics, well being indicators, livelihoods, and cultural heritage have been additionally examined.
The report recognized potential impacts—comparable to mud, noise from heavy equipment, and sediment runoff—but in addition proposed clear mitigation methods together with mud suppression programs, buffer zones, neighborhood security plans, and vegetation administration.
Undertaking Overview (Section II Growth)
The ESIA describes the scope of the iron ore concentrator mission, which spans the extraction, crushing, screening, and magnetic/flotation focus of 15 million tonnes of ore yearly, operating from 2015 to 2034.
Mining operations will likely be carried out at Yuelliton (as much as 200m deep), Gangra (175m), and Tokadeh (100m), protecting 1,200 hectares of energetic mining house. Supporting infrastructure features a 303-hectare Tailings Administration Facility, 146 hectares of therapy ponds, a 2,146-hectare mine exclusion zone, new townships in Yekepa and Buchanan with housing, sewage, and waste programs, emporary camps for 1,250 development employees and a railway upkeep facility in Bong County
In accordance the corporate, the ESIA builds upon earlier research from 2010 and 2011, updating organic and social surveys for the Section II enlargement. It notably states that no involuntary resettlement was required, as all development occurred inside AML’s present concession space.
Public consultations have been held extensively throughout Nimba County with neighborhood leaders, girls and youth teams, and native authorities representatives.
EPA Allow Affirms Legality
The EPA formally renewed AML’s environmental allow on August 10, 2024, beneath the signature of Government Director Dr. Emmanuel Okay. Urey Yarkpawolo. The allow (Ref: EPA/EC/ESIA/EMPS/004-0113Rand) covers ore processing at Tokadeh, operation of the concentrator in Yekepa, and actions on the Buchanan Port.
It states: “This allow is issued pursuant to the Environmental Safety and Administration Legislation of Liberia (2003), Half III, Sections 8 (1), 11 (1), and 13. It authorizes ArcelorMittal Liberia Restricted to conduct Section II mining and processing actions throughout the coordinates specified herein.”
The allow stays legitimate till December 20, 2027, and units agency circumstances for ongoing monitoring of air and water high quality, noise management, biodiversity conservation, and neighborhood engagement. It warns of penalties for noncompliance, together with potential suspension or prosecution.
So, What’s Behind the Senator’s Claims?
Regardless of overwhelming documentary proof, Senator Twayen continues to allege that no environmental assessment was performed. His claims at the moment are contradicted by public information, authorized documentation, and third-party environmental evaluations.
The state of affairs raises severe questions: What motivated the Senator’s public accusations? Have been they based mostly on misinformation—or meant for political posturing?
Conclusion: Verified Info vs. Political Spin
“The document is obvious: AML performed a legally required ESIA, adopted the EPA’s allowing course of, and engaged native communities. The mission was accredited beneath Liberia’s highest environmental requirements for mining,” stated a supply from the EPA.
Senator Twayen’s repeated assertions usually are not solely unfounded however danger undermining nationwide regulatory establishments and creating uncertainty for traders searching for to function responsibly in Liberia.
Liberians deserve evidence-based management—significantly on points as consequential as environmental safety and sustainable improvement.
