MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The House of Representatives has called on key government officials to explain the prolonged inactivity at the Putu Iron Ore Mining site in Grand Gedeh County. Officials summoned to appear before lawmakers include Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot Paye, National Investment Commission Chairman Jeff B. Blibo, and Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh. Their testimony is expected to provide clarity on whether the government has taken concrete steps to revive the long-abandoned mining concession.
The legislative summons was issued following a formal request by Grand Gedeh County District 1 Representative Jeremiah Garwo Sokan, Sr., who raised concerns about the economic struggles of the region since the company’s closure. During its session on February 4, 2025, the House demanded a full report on any potential investors, legal constraints, or financial hurdles preventing the resumption of mining operations.
Since the departure of the Putu Iron Ore Mining Company in 2016, Grand Gedeh has endured economic stagnation. The company, a subsidiary of Russian steel giant Severstal, signed an agreement with the Liberian government in 2010 but failed to sustain its operations. Its exit left the local economy crippled, displacing workers and halting investment in the region.
