The Putu Contact Group, representing host communities in the Putu Administrative District of Grand Gedeh County, Liberia, has welcomed progress toward reactivating the multi-billion-dollar Putu Iron Ore Project. The group, led by Chairperson Joseph W. Geebro, commended the Government of Liberia and investor Africa Metallic Resources for moving the long-dormant mining enterprise toward practical implementation. The communities appreciate President Joseph Nyuma Boakai's leadership in giving renewed national attention to the project.
President Boakai's March 2026 mandate directed central government institutions to expedite the project's finalization and operationalization. The President also designated Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung to lead inter-agency coordination in resolving complex legal, financial, and administrative hurdles. The Putu Contact Group noted that the President's strategic focus recognizes the Putu mine as a key catalyst for regional job creation and socio-economic transformation across southeastern Liberia.
The Putu Contact Group, under the motto "Responsible Investment, Inclusive Development," advocates for a modern, progressive framework where national revenue goals, investor return on investment, and host community rights advance in tandem. The group established a clear negotiating principle: "Legal Rights + Community Participation + Fair Benefit Sharing + Employment + Local Content + Environmental Protection + Transparency + Long-Term Development." This framework guides upcoming negotiations with Africa Metallic Resources toward a comprehensive, legally binding Community Development Agreement.
The proposed Community Development Agreement sets out crucial provisions aimed at safeguarding community welfare. Central to the framework is the establishment of a dedicated, independently audited Community Development Fund. The framework also demands priority employment and skills training for Liberians, especially qualified local residents, alongside progressive management localization and succession planning. Local procurement opportunities for enterprises owned by Liberians, Grand Gedehians, and affected community members are also emphasized.
The Putu Contact Group's proposals emphasize concrete investments in roads, clean water, electricity, health facilities, and schools, paired with active community participation in environmental and social monitoring, livelihood restoration, and mine closure rehabilitation. The group is pushing for quarterly oversight, accessible and non-retaliatory grievance mechanisms, and progressive local value addition to support broader national industrialization. These proposals aim to foster cooperation rather than confrontation.
The Putu Contact Group emphasized that its detailed proposals are intended to build a durable social license to operate. The group stressed that its stance does not seek to undermine state authority or delay corporate investment but rather to ensure that the revitalization of Putu is accompanied by strong community participation, transparency, lawful protection of community rights, and measurable local development outcomes.
The true benchmark of any extractive investment extends beyond mere revenue figures, according to the Putu Contact Group. A successful mining project must be measured by the quality of jobs created, enterprises developed, infrastructure delivered, environmental safeguards maintained, livelihoods protected, and opportunities created for future generations. The group issued a respectful appeal to both the central government and corporate developers to prioritize community development and participation.
Key points
- The Putu Contact Group seeks a transparent, inclusive, and legally enforceable development partnership with Africa Metallic Resources.
- The proposed Community Development Agreement emphasizes priority employment and skills training for Liberians and local procurement opportunities.
- The group advocates for concrete investments in infrastructure and active community participation in environmental and social monitoring.
