Published: February 18, 2026
MONROVIA — Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency has concluded stakeholder consultations on the proposed Kon Kweni Transport Infrastructure Project in Nimba County, marking a key step in the environmental review process. But as officials describe the consultations as transparent and inclusive, citizens say the real test will be whether the project delivers meaningful benefits to local communities.
The consultations, which began earlier in February 2026, focused on Ivanhoe Liberia Limited’s plan to create a transport corridor linking the Kon Kweni mine site in Guinea through Yekepa, Nimba County, and along Liberia’s railway system to the Port of Buchanan in Grand Bassa County for mineral export.
The project would position Liberia as a major transit hub under concession arrangements granting Ivanhoe and its Guinean affiliate access to the country’s rail and port facilities.
As part of the approval process, Ivanhoe Liberia Limited, through consultant Earthtime Inc., submitted an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to the EPA.
Public discussions were held in Zolowee Town, Nimba County, bringing together local authorities, lawmakers, civil society representatives and community leaders.
At the close of consultations on Feb. 16, EPA officials reiterated that environmental safeguards and community concerns remain central to the review.
EPA Executive Director for Technical Services, Hon. Dweh Boley, assured participants that authorities would prioritize protecting both citizens and ecosystems while ensuring Liberians benefit from the project.
He emphasized that the government’s goal is to balance economic growth with environmental protection, ensuring that development does not harm communities or natural resources.
EPA officials also told participants that the assessment process adhered to national environmental requirements and that the government remains committed to accountability as the project advances.
Communities Demand Jobs and Infrastructure
Despite the assurances, many residents used the forum to voice skepticism, citing past mining projects that generated revenue but delivered limited local development.
Community representatives called for clear commitments on employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers, along with training programs and scholarships.
They also urged the company to avoid recruitment processes that rely heavily on online applications, noting that many rural residents lack reliable internet access.
“We welcome development, but we want to see jobs and real improvement in our communities, not just trucks passing with our resources.”
Residents further called for the construction of schools, hospitals and other essential social services in affected areas.
Company Promises Local Stake and Opportunities
Ivanhoe Liberia Limited responded by emphasizing that the project remains largely Liberian-owned, with Nimba County holding a significant stake.
Company representatives said employment opportunities could arise in border security, rail operations, port services and logistics.
However, skepticism remains among some community members who fear the project could follow a familiar pattern — natural resources exported while communities along the corridor see little change in living standards.
The consultations concluded with a site visit to Mount Tokadeh, where construction activities are expected to begin, giving stakeholders firsthand exposure to the planned operational zone.
With the public engagement phase closed, attention now shifts to regulatory decisions and implementation.
For many residents in Nimba and along the railway corridor, consultation meetings will only carry weight if they translate into visible improvements on the ground.
Observers say the ultimate measure of success for the Kon Kweni project will not be the volume of exported minerals, but whether the communities living along the transport route experience tangible social and economic transformation.
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