MONROVIA – Unknown people have reportedly ‘invaded’ Western Cluster Concession area in Bomi County. An attempted “invasion” of its concession area in Bomi County, allegedly linked to some county officials whose names were not disclosed to a team of journalists who visited the area on Thursday.
The incident highlights ongoing disputes over concession rights, local authority involvement, and Others forcibly removing Western company from its operation area.
Unidentified individuals reportedly entered the Western Cluster Liberia (WCL) concession in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, sparking tensions over control of the site. Journalists who visited the area observed a 40-foot container being forcibly transported into the premises.
Local residents and eyewitnesses alleged that some officials and former officials orchestrated the incident alleging that it was a presidential mandate. One eyewitness alleged that an unnamed former official of government allegedly warned that police would enforce the removal pf Western Cluster if the company refused, citing plans for a new wood-processing enterprise in the area.
The dispute has intensified with claims that county officials may have authorized the container’s entry. Witnesses reported the truck driver claimed he was sent by local authorities, though no independent confirmation has been established. Efforts to obtain clarification from county officials yielded no clear answers. WCL resisted the attempted occupation and alerted its Monrovia headquarters. The Ministry of Mines and Energy reaffirmed that the concession remains legally under WCL’s control, advising the company to report unauthorized incursions.
The identity of the container’s owner, its contents, and the authorization behind its movement remain unclear.
The incident underscores broader concerns about concession rights, regulatory enforcement, and coordination between local authorities, concessionaires, and central government institutions. WCL controls iron ore deposits in Bomi Hills, Bea Mountain, and Mano River. These sites were once operated by Liberia Mining Company and National Iron Ore Company before closing in the 1980s and 1990s. The deposits contain an estimated 3 billion tons of iron ore. 2011: India’s Sesa Goa (Vedanta Resources) acquired Western Cluster Limited for nearly US$100 million, establishing long-term control. Western Cluster has been operating in the county since 2011. Work stalled due to the Ebola outbreak (2014) and later COVID-19, both cited as force majeure events. WCL resumed operations in 2022 after signing an MoU with the Liberian government. WCL has invested about US$300 million in Liberia, including US$15.5 million in community development funds and infrastructure projects (bridges, roads).
A clear government statement is urgently needed to clarify.
