By: Julius Konton
Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has established a Special Presidential Committee to review and recommend a final resolution to the long-standing dispute surrounding the Buchanan iron ore tailings stockpile in Grand Bassa County, a move government officials say could unlock one of the country’s most valuable dormant mineral assets.
The Buchanan tailings estimated at approximately 11.6 million metric tons are widely regarded as having significant commercial and strategic value.
Despite this potential, the stockpile has remained largely inactive for more than 20 years, stalled by licensing conflicts, unresolved legal claims, and regulatory uncertainty following the departure of the former Liberia-American Mining Company (LAMCO).
Mining analysts note that tailings of this scale, depending on grade and global iron ore prices, could generate tens of millions of dollars in revenue, create jobs, and stimulate downstream economic activity if responsibly developed.
High-Level Committee Formed
According to an executive directive issued on Saturday, the Special Committee will be chaired by the National Security Advisor to the President, underscoring the strategic importance the administration attaches to the issue.
The committee’s composition includes:
National Security Advisor to the President (Chairperson)
Vice Chairperson, Ministry of Mines and Energy
National Bureau of Concessions (Member)
Legal Advisor to the President (Member)
National Investment Commission (Member)
The multi-agency structure is intended to ensure a coordinated legal, technical, and investment-focused approach to resolving the dispute.
Mandate and Scope
The committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of all historical and current matters linked to the Buchanan tailings, including:
The origin and transfer of ownership following LAMCO’s exit;
Licensing and concession arrangements since 2013;
Existing legal disputes and competing claims;
The current commercial value of the stockpile; and
The identification of qualified and compliant operators capable of safe extraction.
The panel is also required to develop a clear roadmap for the transparent and sustainable exploitation of the tailings, with particular emphasis on environmental compliance and community benefits.
Focus on Community Impact
Government officials said special attention will be paid to ensuring that residents of Grand Bassa County where the tailings are located derive equitable economic benefits, including employment opportunities, local development initiatives, and improved revenue sharing.
“This initiative reflects the President’s determination to protect national assets while ensuring that local communities are not left behind,” a senior official familiar with the committee’s work said.
Signal of Governance Reform
The move aligns with President Boakai’s broader agenda to strengthen governance in Liberia’s natural resources sector, a key pillar of the national economy that has historically been plagued by weak oversight and underutilization.
Liberia’s mining sector accounts for a significant share of export earnings, yet several valuable assets including tailings, inactive concessions, and legacy mining sites remain untapped or poorly managed.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within the timeframe outlined in its terms of reference, after which the President will determine the way forward.
“The Government of Liberia remains committed to accountability, transparency, and restoring confidence in the management of national resources,” the statement said.
If successfully resolved, the Buchanan tailings dispute could mark a turning point in Liberia’s efforts to transform dormant mineral wealth into sustainable economic growth.
Editor’s Note
The establishment of a Special Presidential Committee to address the long-running Buchanan iron ore tailings dispute signals a renewed attempt by the Boakai’s administration to confront one of Liberia’s most persistent natural resource governance challenges.
For more than two decades, the Buchanan tailings estimated at over 11 million metric tons have stood as a symbol of untapped potential, mired in legal uncertainty, overlapping claims, and regulatory inertia.
This intervention elevates the issue beyond routine sectoral management, placing it at the level of national strategic interest.
By assigning the chairmanship to the National Security Advisor and assembling a multi-agency team with legal, technical, and investment expertise, the government is acknowledging both the economic stakes and the governance risks involved.
Beyond its commercial promise, the outcome of this process will test the administration’s broader reform agenda in the extractive sector particularly its commitments to transparency, environmental responsibility, and community inclusion.
For residents of Grand Bassa County, the process will be closely watched for tangible benefits in jobs, development, and fair revenue sharing.
How effectively the committee navigates legacy disputes and charts a credible, transparent pathway forward may well determine whether the Buchanan tailings become a catalyst for sustainable growth or remain another chapter in Liberia’s long history of unrealized mineral wealth.
