Monrovia, September 28, 2026: A Grand Gedeh citizen group under the banner Putu Contact Group (PCG) Inc. has commended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for renewing national attention on the Putu Iron Ore Project and advancing efforts toward its reactivation — but with a caveat.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The group wants host communities to be treated as development partners not spectators.
It can be recalled that in March this year, President Boakai directed the Government to expedite the finalization and operationalization of the Putu Mining Project and tasked Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung with coordinating relevant government institutions to resolve outstanding legal, financial and administrative matters.
President Boakai had identified the reactivation of Putu as an opportunity to create jobs and accelerate development in Grand Gedeh County and southeastern Liberia.
The new operation will see Africa Metallic Resources (AMR) take charge of the concession.
Call for Inclusiveness
Speaking at a press conference in Monrovia on Monday, September 28, the group called for legal rights, community participation, and fair benefit-sharing.
The group also emphasized the need for employment opportunities for Grand Gedeans, especially residents of the affected communities, as well as local content, environmental protection, transparency and long-term development.
The Putu communities believe the current momentum presents an important opportunity to establish a new model of responsible mineral development — one in which national economic interests, investor interests and the legitimate interests of host communities advance together.
“The communities are not opposed to responsible mining investment. Our position is that mineral development should produce a measurable, transparent and enforceable development partnership with the people whose land, livelihoods, environment and communities host the Project,” reads the group’s statement by Lead Strategist, Philip Bai Kamah.
Community Development Agreement
As part of this constructive approach, the Putu Contact Group Inc. announced the development of a Community Negotiation Position & Term Sheet to guide discussions with AMR toward a comprehensive and legally enforceable Community Development Agreement (CDA).
The proposed framework addresses, among other things: meaningful and continuous community consultation and participation; a dedicated and independently audited Community Development Fund; direct allocation, in accordance with best practices, of a fair and meaningful portion of Social Development Contributions to Immediate Project-Affected Communities; and employment and skills development for Liberians, with priority for qualified PAC residents.
It also focuses on progressive management localization and succession planning, local procurement and development of Liberian, Grand Gedeh, and PAC-owned enterprises, provision of roads, water, electricity, health and education infrastructure, community participation in environmental and social monitoring, livelihood protection and restoration, mine closure and rehabilitation planning, transparency, independent auditing and quarterly oversight, accessible and non-retaliatory grievance mechanisms and progressive local value addition and industrial development.
Recognition, Not Confrontation
The Putu communities emphasized that their proposals are not intended to undermine the Government’s authority, delay investment, or create unnecessary confrontation with AMR.
Rather, they are intended to strengthen the long-term social and economic foundation of the Project.
“A successful mining project must be measured not only by the quantity of ore extracted or the revenues generated, but also by the quality of jobs created, enterprises developed, infrastructure delivered, environmental safeguards maintained, livelihoods protected, and opportunities created for future generations,” the group noted.
“The communities therefore look forward to engaging the Government of Liberia, AMR and other relevant stakeholders in a spirit of mutual respect, transparency, good faith and shared national purpose.”
Appeal to Government
The Putu Contact Group Inc. called on the Government of Liberia(GoL) to continue its leadership in ensuring that the revitalization of Putu is accompanied by strong community participation, transparency, lawful protection of community rights and measurable local development outcomes.
It also urged Africa Metallic Resources and its leadership to continue the constructive engagement demonstrated thus far and to work with Putu communities toward a comprehensive CDA containing measurable, funded, and enforceable commitments.
“The Putu Project-Affected Communities remain united, peaceful, informed and constructive as negotiations progress. The community’s position is clear: Putu should move forward, but it should move forward in a manner that creates lasting value for Liberia and a durable development legacy for the people of Putu and Grand Gedeh County.”
“We believe that responsible investment and strong community development are not competing objectives. They can and should reinforce each other. The Putu communities stand ready to work with the Government of Liberia and AMR to make this vision a reality,” the group added.
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