Chamber of Mines President Amara Kamara Calls For Liberia’s Mineral Wealth to Create Jobs, Build Infrastructure and Deliver Lasting Benefits to Citizens

FARMINGTON, Margibi County-Chamber of Mines President Amara Kamara has called for Liberia’s mining industry to deliver greater benefits to citizens, saying the country’s mineral wealth must translate into jobs, stronger local businesses, improved infrastructure, better living standards and deliver lasting benefits to citizens.

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By Jaheim T. Tumu- [email protected] 

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Addressing Liberia’s Second International Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition (LIMEC 2026) opening which was held under the theme: “Transforming Liberia’s Economy: Driving Development Through Sustainable Mining and Energy Investments,” Kamara said the success of the sector should go beyond the export of gold, diamonds and iron ore to include tangible improvements in the lives of Liberians.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai delivered the keynote address, setting out his government’s plans for drawing investment and promoting responsible development of the country’s mineral resources.

Chamber of Mines President Kamara’s  remarks came as President Boakai delivered the keynote address, outlining his government’s plans to attract investment and promote the responsible development of Liberia’s mineral resources.

The event brought together international guests, investors, development partners, technical experts and business leaders from across Africa and beyond to explore opportunities in Liberia’s mining and energy sectors.

Their presence underscored growing global interest in the country’s mineral wealth, energy potential and prospects for sustainable economic transformation.

Kamara said the country must judge the value of its mining industry by the opportunities it creates for its people, including employment, business development, infrastructure, skills transfer and long-term economic benefits.

“Our success must not be measured simply by our traditional minerals export, gold, diamonds, and iron ore,” he said.

 “It must be measured by the jobs we create, the businesses we develop, the infrastructure we build, the skills we transfer, and the lasting benefits we deliver to the Liberian people.”

He emphasized that Liberia has an opportunity to attract investment as global demand grows for critical minerals, renewable energy and reliable supply chains.

However, he warned that the country’s natural resources alone would not guarantee the investment needed to expand the sector.

“Mineral potential alone does not attract investment,” Kamara said, pointing to the need for reliable geological data, adequate infrastructure, affordable energy, skilled professionals, project financing, transparent regulation and a predictable investment environment.

He argued that Liberia must create the right conditions to move mining projects from exploration to discovery and production while ensuring that the benefits extend beyond mining companies to the wider economy.

Kamara called for sustained investment from international investors, Liberian businesses, development finance institutions and strategic partners, stressing that the country needs capital accompanied by expertise, technology, skills development and a long-term commitment to national growth.

Infrastructure and Energy Key to Mining Growth

Kamara said the expansion of the mining sector would remain difficult without reliable roads, railways, ports, electricity and efficient transportation systems.

He urged Liberia to treat infrastructure development as a national priority rather than an investment intended only to serve individual mining operations.

He identified railway corridors, the Port of Buchanan, the Port of Greenville and standalone river-barging ports as important opportunities to improve transportation and support economic activities across the country.

“These investments in railway corridors, the Port of Buchanan, Port of Greenville, Stand alone river barging port, and other strategic infrastructure must be viewed not merely as mining assets, but as platforms for broader national development,” he stated.

Kamara explained that infrastructure designed to support mining could also benefit other industries, improve the movement of goods and create opportunities for communities beyond mining areas.

He also called for greater investment in affordable and reliable electricity, identifying hydropower, solar energy, mini-grids and hybrid power systems as possible ways to support industrial development and expand access to electricity.

He said mining and energy development must advance together to improve the operating environment for investors while creating wider economic opportunities for Liberian businesses and communities.

Local Businesses Must Benefit

Kamara described local content as a national priority, arguing that Liberian companies should have greater opportunities to supply mining operations, provide technical services and participate in major infrastructure projects.

He said local content should go beyond meeting legal requirements and focus on building the capacity of Liberian businesses to compete and grow within the mining and energy industries.

“As President of The Liberia Chamber of Mines, I consider local content a national priority,” he said.

He also called for greater investment in Liberian geologists, engineers, technicians, environmental professionals and managers, saying the country needs a skilled workforce capable of taking on more responsibilities in the sector.

Kamara urged international investors and contractors to develop local partnerships, transfer technology and strengthen the skills of Liberian workers. He said such efforts would help ensure that more of the economic benefits generated by mining remain within the country.

Responsible Mining Remains Essential

While encouraging increased investment, Kamara said mining activities must be guided by environmental protection, worker safety, community engagement and transparency.

He warned that economic growth would be difficult to sustain without public confidence and meaningful benefits for communities affected by mining operations.

“Responsible mining must remain non-negotiable,” he said, adding that fiscal responsibility and meaningful benefit-sharing were essential to building trust and sustaining investment.

His remarks highlighted the need for mining companies to consider the environmental and social effects of their operations while ensuring that resource development contributes to broader national prosperity.

Kamara maintained that responsible resource development and economic growth should advance together, allowing Liberia to attract investment without losing sight of its obligations to citizens and affected communities.

Liberia Seeks Long-Term Investment

Addressing international investors and development partners, Kamara urged them to look beyond mineral deposits and consider opportunities in exploration, mining services, energy, transportation, logistics, infrastructure and local supply chains.

He said Liberia was open to international capital but needed investors willing to contribute more than money to the country’s development.

“Liberia invites international capital. We need investment accompanied by expertise, technology, skills, infrastructure, and a long-term commitment to our country,” he said.

Kamara said the Liberia Chamber of Mines was ready to work with the government, investors, development institutions, communities and Liberian businesses to address investment challenges and promote sustainable growth.

Looking Toward 2030

As Liberia looks toward 2030, Kamara said the country should aim to advance more exploration projects, develop new mines, unlock critical mineral opportunities, improve infrastructure, expand electricity access and increase the participation of Liberian businesses throughout the mining and energy value chains.

He said the ultimate goal should be to ensure that natural-resource development contributes to employment, economic diversification, government revenue and improved living standards.

Kamara urged participants to make LIMEC 2026 a platform for practical action rather than simply a gathering for speeches and discussions.

“LIMEC 2026 must therefore be more than a conference. It must be a platform for practical action and advancing investment in our enriched sector,” he said.

Kamara said Liberia’s mining and energy future should not be defined only by what the country extracts from the ground, but also by the industries, infrastructure, businesses and skills it builds for future generations.